This November, WASLA will bring music and purpose together at Expo City Dubai on 28 November 2026, placing support for displaced communities at the heart of this year’s festival.

BRAG is bringing WASLA to life as a platform where music and humanitarian action come together for a shared cause. As the driving force and catalyst behind the festival, BRAG is working with UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, to build a collective effort around supporting displaced and underserved communities across the region. The festival aims to harness the reach and power of music to generate meaningful support for those who need it most.

Meaning “connection” in Arabic, WASLA was created to bring people together through music, and the belief that music can bring people together beyond borders and backgrounds.

In 2026, WASLA builds on that purpose through its collaboration with UNHCR, at a time when 117.8 million people worldwide are forcibly displaced, equivalent to one in every 70 people on Earth, according to UNHCR.

Against this backdrop, initiatives such as WASLA Festival can help bring greater attention to the plight of forcibly displaced people, engage new audiences and build support for displaced communities.

Speaking on WASLA’s return to Dubai, Roula Ghalayini, Festival Creative Director, said, “Music has the ability to bring people together around our shared humanity. Through WASLA, we hope to create a space that not only celebrates culture and expression but also stands in solidarity with families who have been forced to flee their homes. In support with UNHCR, we want the festival to help keep the safety, dignity and hope for displaced communities at the centre of the conversation.”

The WASLA line-up has been shaped around artists whose work speaks to themes of peace, humanity, identity, heritage and self-expression, bringing together voices that reflect the spirit behind the festival.

Marcel Khalife, the legendary Lebanese composer, singer and oud virtuoso, has spent decades using music as a voice for human rights and peace. Known for transforming the poetry of Palestinian poet Mahmoud Darwish into generational anthems, his contribution to music and humanitarian causes earned him the title of UNESCO Artist for Peace.

Le Trio Joubran, Palestinian brothers, Samir, Wissam and Adnan, come from four generations of oud makers and players. Deeply rooted in Palestinian culture and heritage, the trio have developed a distinctive musical language through three ouds, carrying their sound to audiences around the world while keeping family, identity and place at the heart of their craft.

TootArd, formed by Syrian brothers Hasan and Rami Nakhleh, bring a genre-fluid sound that blends Arabic melodic traditions with disco, funk and contemporary influences. Their music draws from cultures across South-West Asia, North Africa and beyond, creating a sound that feels both deeply rooted and open to the world, and speaks naturally to WASLA’s idea of music as a meeting point between people and experiences.

Rounding out the line-up is Abu Dhabi artist Fatima, formerly known as FAFA, bringing an R&B, soul and Arabian jazz-influenced sound shaped by her UAE and Honduran roots. Her music explores upliftment, self-empowerment and inner peace, adding a more intimate and reflective voice to the festival.

Through the partnership, WASLA will place the humanitarian cause at the heart of the festival experience, bringing audiences together in support of UNHCR to protect displaced families across the region.

Commenting on the partnership between WASLA and UNHCR, Raefah Makki, Regional Manager for Private Sector Partnerships – MENA at UNHCR, stated, “WASLA offers a powerful platform to bring the refugee cause to new audiences and turn awareness into meaningful support. We are grateful to BRAG and the participating artists for standing with displaced families and helping them rebuild their lives in safety and dignity.”

First launched in the region as a celebration of Arabic music, art and culture, WASLA has previously brought artists and audiences together around a shared sense of community. Its 2026 edition builds on that foundation, placing humanity, hope and meaningful action at the centre of the festival.

 

Tickets Information

WASLA will take place at Expo City Dubai on Saturday, 28 November 2026. Tickets for WASLA start from AED 350 and are available via official ticketing partner Ticketmaster UAE.

For the latest updates and festival news, follow @waslafestival on Instagram and Facebook.