“East Meets West: Christmas in the Holy Land” launches a new Detroit holiday tradition
A Christmas celebration where cultures meet, voices unite and music brings people together
Detroit, Mich. — At a time of great unrest in both the Middle East and the United States, symphonic ensembles from the two largest Arab population centers in Michigan — Dearborn and Flint — will use the universal language of music to promote cultural connection and dialogue at “East Meets West: Christmas in the Holy Land,” taking place at 8 p.m. Dec. 6 at Music Hall Center for the Performing Arts.
For the first time, the National Arab Orchestra and FIM Flint Symphony Orchestra will present a Christmas celebration that blends holiday traditions from both the Middle East and the West. It will also be the first time they have performed together in Detroit. Past collaborations have been annually in Flint.
A collage-style concert, “East Meets West: Christmas in the Holy Land” features the NAO Takht Ensemble — a seven-person group performing with traditional Arab instruments including the oud, nay, and qanun — alongside the Flint Symphony Orchestra, JAWQA, the Detroit Youth Choir, the Sound of Joy Choir, and special guest vocalists. Together, they will perform familiar Christmas carols, melodies from the Holy Land, and Arab musical traditions reimagined for the season. A concert like this is unique to Detroit and has probably never been presented before, according to organizers.
“This is not an Arabic-only program,” said Michael Ibrahim, National Arab Orchestra Founder and Music Director. “You have Arab American, African American and everything in between participating in a rich vibrant way. It is going to be a fantastic and historic evening.”
FIM President and CEO Rodney Lontine adds, “Through multi-cultural programming, FIM can offer people of different backgrounds, ages, races, cultures or socioeconomic status a safe space and common ground to share, understand, learn and appreciate each other through the joy of music, hopefully breaking down any preconceived notions or artificial boundaries in the process.”
“East Meets West: Christmas in the Holy Land” aims to serve not just as a concert, but as a moment of unity —welcoming all communities to celebrate the spirit of the season together through song, story and shared experience.
Based in Detroit, the National Arab Orchestra was founded 15 years ago and is the only touring orchestra of its kind in the United States. FSO, with a history spanning more than 100 years, brings deep musical legacy and community connection. Both ensembles are known for outstanding musicianship and a shared belief in building cultural bridges through music.
Tickets are available at www.musichall.org/shows-events/national-arab-orchestra or www.tickets.thefim.org, FIM Ticket Center at FIM Whiting Auditorium and FIM Capitol Theatre, or by calling (810) 237-7333.
