40 Minutes with Mona Miari
“Art is a Universal Language”: 40 Minutes with Mona Miari
By: Layan Srour / Arab America Contributing Writer
Mona’s musical journey is deeply rooted in heritage, resistance, and a relentless drive to push artistic boundaries. An internationally renowned Palestinian-American artist, singer, and songwriter, she is known for her pioneering projects and dedication to elevating Arabic music on the world stage. Raised between Chicago and Palestine and now based in New York City, Mona blends the richness of Palestinian heritage with global influences. Her music embodies both authenticity and evolution, offering a voice that is as grounded in cultural memory as it is expansive in artistic vision.
How did you start your journey into music?
My musical journey began at the age of 4 when I performed for the World’s Children Day festival, singing a classical Arabic poem of Nizar Qubbani acapella in front of a large audience. Growing up in a family that is involved in the Palestinian cultural scene, I was fascinated and became deeply passionate about the richness of our culture and heritage, prompting me to study its history, language, and art and dedicate my time to its exploration. By the age of 15, I officially embarked on my music career in Palestine, headlining my first major concert at the Jerusalem – The Capital of Arabic Culture 2009 festival. I showcased Palestinian folklore, emphasizing themes of freedom, love, and resistance. This marked the beginning of my professional career, with invitations to various cultural festivals focusing on Palestinian culture, gaining recognition as an artist in this domain back in those days.
What ability do you believe music has when it comes to serving as a source of connection to others amidst conflict and oppression?
Art serves as a universal language that transcends cultural boundaries, enabling all individuals to comprehend its essence. It encompasses themes of freedom, truth, struggle, love, humanity, and resistance, etc.. In times of humanitarian crises, artists have to bear the responsibility of championing truth and humanity, using their creativity to amplify these messages with utmost vigor. Artists possess the unique privilege of translating emotions such as anger and injustice into compelling artworks and music that resonate deeply with people.
The expressive power of the arts and music effortlessly connects with individuals, evoking profound emotions and messages, and leaving a lasting impact. It offers a safe space for collective healing and emphasizes the importance of people coming together, standing as one against injustice. Remaining silent on matters of humanity, merely because they are associated with a nation one does not belong to, or assuming their significance is diminished, is incompatible with the essence of true artistry. Such perspectives that marginalize human rights based on specific demographics are not only condescending but also perpetuate racism, a pattern observed over decades.
Can you illustrate your journey through the music space, and at the same time, is there a significant catharsis that your profession gives you?
In my personal opinion, I believe that we are living in a fast-paced, materialistic, and corporate lifestyle. This lifestyle pushes us towards finding alternatives and shortcut methods that we rely on in any direction we take. The music industry, in my view, has undergone significant evolution, achieving substantial global expansion in tandem with the progress of contemporary times and technology. While this development is commendable and essential for sustaining productive outcomes, it simultaneously presents a multitude of challenges for independent artists, especially those who don’t always align with commercial trends.
As someone who approaches music in a way that may not always align with current commercial trends or criteria, I often find myself navigating around structures that don’t fully accommodate or support artistic individuality. There’s a pressure to fit into polished molds, to adapt to a certain sound or image in order to “make it”. For artists who choose a different path, that often means turning to self-production, applying for limited funding, and working with fewer resources, not because the art lacks value, but because it doesn’t always follow the formulas the industry currently rewards.
Today, music production is more accessible than ever, which is unique compared to most professions. And while that openness can be a beautiful form of self-exploration and expression, I think we sometimes lose sight of the depth and dedication the arts demand, especially when music becomes a career. There’s space for everyone in art, but there’s also value in craft, time, and intention.
It’s important to protect space for both casual creativity and professional artistry, without forcing them into competition.
For me, music has always been a kind of sacred, mysterious magic—akin to the rhythmic flow of water. It flows within you, takes over your body, all your senses, and imagination. Music encapsulates a unique reality, exclusive to its own realm of existence. It’s one of the purest universal languages that any human being can effortlessly understand. When I’m on stage or composing, I feel a rare sense of wholeness—I feel like I’m on a cloud! But it’s not always about this dreamy process. It takes a lot of courage to sit with yourself and face the chaos inside, to translate it into art and music.
That’s where the catharsis lies. In making music, you confront your own truth, and in doing so, offer it to others who may or may not resonate, but feel. That moment of being heard and seen—not just by an audience, but by yourself—is what keeps me coming back to the work. It’s what makes it real.
How does your music find a balance between Eastern and Western influences? Do you find yourself relying more often on one than the other, and why?
For me, it’s an ongoing and organic journey. I believe that the music we grow up with—regardless of where we come from—naturally becomes part of who we are. It’s not something we separate from ourselves; it grows with us and within us. In my case, Middle Eastern music, and specifically the Maqam tradition, feels like an inheritance—something sacred passed down through generations. It carries the weight of memory and identity, and it continues to shape how I engage with sound, both culturally and artistically.
I also think that this heritage is or should be flexible in terms of adaptability and openness to evolution and change, yet it remains inherent in our musical and cultural fabric.
While I value the authenticity deeply rooted in my musical expression, I also embrace an insatiable curiosity and a thirst for exploration and learning. I don’t see that as a contradiction—I see it as expansion. I’m drawn to exploring other genres and global sounds, and I allow myself to experiment with how they intersect with my own musical foundation. This approach shifts depending on the project or phase I’m in, but my aim is always to maintain a clear sense of authenticity.
What advice would you give to Arabs or Arab Americans aspiring to enter the music world?
First of all, you always have to know that it’s not easy. But the key is, and this applies to everyone, to remain true to yourself. The more connected with yourself you are, everything will work out on your behalf and the way it’s meant to be. Stick to what you believe in.
I think that we’re living in a very fast-paced world where technology is taking over our lives. There’s the constant need to “fit in”. It makes you like abandon who you are. Stay connected to the person you are, and use the tools you have, but don’t make it take over your entire life.
About the Article and Author: Layan Srour, a Lebanese musician based in Detroit, Michigan, is passionate about blending her culture through music, research, and education in the United States. 40 Minutes With is a weekly feature where Layan interviews an Arab American musician, exploring their journey through music and culture in America. Connect with Layan on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, or via email.
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