Mina Drees: A Musical Journey Reflecting the Struggles and Cultural History of the Ahwazi People

When you listen to the voice of Ahwazi singer Mina Drees, you are immediately captivated by her exceptional, authentic, and powerful sound that deeply touches the soul. She has become a cultural ambassador of Arabic music, infused with the unique and distinct identity of Ahwaz.

Mina Drees: The Daughter of Abadan
Born in 1981 in the city of Abadan during the Iran-Iraq war, Mina Drees began showcasing her singing talent at the age of five. Her hometown, Abadan, located in the heart of Ahwaz on the shores of the Arabian Gulf, profoundly influenced her love for classical Arabic music (Maqam). Arabic being her mother tongue, she pursued her passion for music after completing her university education.

Currently residing in the United States, Mina Drees uses her artistic creativity to present the vibrant spirit, art, culture, and identity of Ahwaz to the world. Through her concerts and artistic endeavors, she shines a spotlight on the rich cultural and historical heritage of the Ahwazi people, highlighting their resilience under Iranian occupation, which restricts cultural expression and suppresses their Arab Ahwazi identity.

Forced Departure from Ahwaz
Mina Drees’ family was forced to leave Abadan and Ahwaz during the Iran-Iraq war while her mother was still pregnant with her. Despite leaving Ahwaz before her birth, Mina has returned to her homeland whenever possible, particularly visiting Abadan, her parents’ birthplace, where her extended family still resides.

A Voice for Ahwazi Art and Culture
On her social media platforms, Mina Drees showcases Ahwazi culture, including traditional delicacies like Ahwazi fish soup (Ghalieh), dances performed by her relatives under the shade of Ahwazi palm trees, which hold significant cultural importance, and other elements of daily life in Ahwaz.

During her trips to Ahwaz, she explores and highlights various aspects of its cultural heritage, such as the intricate tattoos on the faces of elderly women, their colorful long robes, unique traditional braids, and henna designs on their hands, feet, and hair during weddings.

Mina has also sought to blend traditional Arabic Ahwazi melodies with modern electronic styles to appeal to the younger generation, creating a unique and dynamic musical experience.

A Global Artist
Mina Drees has performed in numerous concerts across Arab and Western countries, including Qatar, Turkey, Italy, Germany, the BIT Festival in Milan, the Avignon Festival in France, the Babylon Festival in Iraq, and the Galiwaj Festival in Iraqi Kurdistan, as well as in the United States, where she currently resides.

In 2017, she made her acting debut in a play about homeless women, both as an actress and a singer. Since 2016, she has been the lead vocalist of the band Novak and has released several singles and an album titled *Agitation* with the group.

Advocating for the Ahwazi Struggle
In her interviews and media appearances, Mina Drees frequently speaks about the deprivation, discrimination, and suffering of the Ahwazi people. She highlights the Iranian authorities’ neglect of Arab Ahwazi regions, drawing attention to the lack of essential educational services in Ahwazi schools compared to cities like Tehran and Karaj. She also sheds light on the deterioration of infrastructure, including roads, electricity, sewage systems, and drinking water in Ahwazi cities.

For Mina Drees, art, especially music, is not just her passion but her life. In one interview, she remarked, “Art, and particularly music, poetry, and singing, is a universal language that transcends differences between the world’s peoples and creates a unique cultural dialogue among diverse traditions.”

Inspirations from Arabic Music
When asked about the Arab artists she admires and whose songs she performs, Mina Drees said, “I adore and love singing Umm Kulthum’s music. I am fascinated by her and her voice. When I was young, my father explained to me that Umm Kulthum was the greatest singer in the Middle East.” She also expressed her admiration for other legends such as Fairuz, Wadih El Safi, Sabah Fakhri, Nazem Al-Ghazali, Mohammed Abdu, and Kadim Al-Sahir.