Miriam Toukan (Arabic: طوقان )مریم, an Arab Christian Palestinian Israeli singer,
song writer ,Lawyer and peace activist, engaged in peace activism since her youth
through musical career, and volunteering projects. (Born July 6) in I’billin village in
the Galileel where Moslims and Christians live together in harmony and brotherhood.
Miriam Toukan is the first Arab participant of Kokhav Nolad, an Israeli song contest
styled after American Idol, and the first to sing in Arabic on the show in a prime time.
Miriam was praised for her clear tones and unique vocal qualities, including her
ability to sing the quarter tones required for Arabic music. Miriam received a large
amount of media attention compared to other contestants.
Miriam who with her very long, striking black hair and wide smile, soon became a
favorite among judges, contestants and audience.
Toukan is also a lawyer she obtained her LL.B. from Haifa University.
And interested in International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and human rights.
is a member in several peace movements as “ combatants for peace “ and “women
wage peace”, a movement founded after the Gaza
War of 2014, their moto –all of us united for a
political agreement to end the Israeli-Palestinian
conflict, to end the war. raising a call for
Awareness for human rights and for believing in
human solidarity love, respect and living in peace
Arabs and Jews, Israeli and Palestinians and
among all sectors of the society and the whole
world. She leads together with activist singers
and activist women for peace, marches, and took
part in many peace conferences and concerts in:
Israel Palestine, Germany (Berlin), Switzerland
(Zurich, Bern, Geneve, Kreuzlingen) , Spain
(Cordoba, Sevilla, Cadiz), Armenia, france(
Nimes, Tolouse)
Brasil (Curitiba) , Italy(
Bergamo).
The music career:
At the age 12 Miriam became the solo performer
for her church choir in her village Ibillin.
Two years later when she was 14, she joined the
Alkarawan choir there she started to perform
internationally, in Finland, Estonia, Czech
republic, Jordan.
In 2003 Miriam’s first hit ” Maqhana ” which was
written by the famous Palestinian poet Samih al
Qasem and composed by the musician Nabih
Awad, was released after her successful participation in the Aravision Festival for the
local Arabic song.
Singing for tolerance is nothing new for Miriam who in 2004 was chosen to take a
part in an international musical project sponsored by the European Union called
“Youth”. Young musicians from the countries with conflicts met in Germany for 3
weeks to work on an international album called Peace.
Miriam first album “Christmas Eve” was released in December 2008 and was
produced by the violinist Moen Daniel.Miriam Toukan
طوقان مریم
Miriam also collaborated with a wide range of world and local famous musicians and
artists like Gheorghe Zamfir the Romanian master of the Pan flute, Alon Olearchick,
Karin Blumin, Kamal Suliman, Zohar Fresco Modus Quartette and others.
In 2012 her Arabic version to the Fun’s song ” We are young ” was released with a
video clip dedicated to the Syrian nation.
In December 2012 and December 2013 Miriam performed in the Concerto Mondiale
in Bern Switzerland for peace between religions. In 2012 Miriam was signed as
OLmusic artist, an international agency.
In 2012 Miriam performed in the Ethnic Festival in Cyprus together with Zohar
Fresco, Antonello Messina and Stratis Pseradellis.
In July 2012 Miriam starred as a main Character in the Musical “Atmet Nissan” which
means the “Darkness of April”.
Miriam was invited twice by the president Shimon Peres to perform in the president’s
residence in Jerusalem.In January 2014 Miriam
was chosen to sing to the world at Peres Centre of
peace in Jaffa, and the concert was live streamed
to many countries in the world, and a touching
moment was to get a surprise speech from her
family in Beirut Lebanon whom she never met
because of the war.
In June 2014 Miriam was chosen by SACH (
Save a child’s heart association) to promote and
perform in a concert\ charity event in Paradiso
Amsterdam with the famous singer Karin
Bloemen and Rami Kleinstein, all proceeds from
the concert went to Sach.
In 2013 till these days Miriam is the Solo singer of the project Quartetoukan which is
a musical project that brings together cultures and people through songs and melodies.
a cover songs album named a crossroad of cultures was released and it combines East
and West through Flamenco, Klezmer and Arabic folk music, the band participated in
many International and local festivals and conferences. A special program called “
when Bialik and Fyrouz meet ” and workshops for the arabic and jewish schools also
are offered by the band and has gained already a huge success. also workshops in
Spain in Switzerland in Zurich, soloturn and in the international school in Geneve…
The band released its second album ” whom my soul loveth ” in 2017, all the songs
where written by the band.
In June 2018 Miriam took part in the musical ” Rama’s flight ” where the students
from Ittigen school performed together with refugees students.
IIn 2018 Miriam started a project in Andalucia Spain called, Toukandaluz, combining
between the Arabic music and culture and the Andalucian music and Flamenco,
Andalucia as the home also for the 3 cultures.
In the end of 2018 Miriam was chosen to take part and sing in a historic event in
Casablanca in Morocco with the international orchestra for peace, where 100
musicians arabic and jewish Moroccan, with arabic and jewish from Israel and
Palestine performed together on one stage in Megarama theatre.
Nowadays Miriam is working on her new album, that is suppose to be released in the
end of the year 2019, five singles are already released.