اغنية (حظرالتجول من ورة كورونا)

By Dejaih Smith

The Short:

A look into the chronicles of the everyday struggles experienced by medical personnel during the COVID-19 pandemic in Iraq. This song highlights Dr. Abbas al-Tamimi’s self-determination to educate the people on why they should be taking the pandemic more seriously.

The Long:

Doctors have been pushed to take on new roles to communicate the seriousness of COVID-19. Through an upbeat, pop song, Abbas al-Tamimi has been able to spread the truth of COVID-19 in Arabic to counter the inaccurate information and myths spreading across social media.

With the sponsorship of Al Mirbad, a trusted, independent Iraqi editorial media source, Dr. Tamimi was able to play this song over the loudspeaker in a hospital in Baghdad and has millions of views on YouTube.

Remixing the lyrics to an Egyptian pop song to emphasize the need for a lockdown as well as more support the medical and security services was the goal of this song and just what the Iraqi society needed.

To watch or not to watch?

Without the platform of Al Mirbad, Dr. Tamimi would not have been able to publicize the critical role the public plays in making informed decisions during this public health crisis. This song has allowed for a uniquely placed song to help people cope with daily life as a result of the pandemic.