Habib Mousa

Habib Mousa (; born 9 October 1952) is a Syrian musician. From an early childhood, he was interested in music until his formal career began in 1968 with the release of "Shamo Mar".

Mousa remains one of the most popular Western Assyrian musicians to date, and is referred to as the "King of the Suryoyto Song" for his influence in secular Assyrian folk-pop music. He is considered the second person to compose and sing songs in Classical Syriac (Kthbonoyo/Lishana Atiqa). His music is additionally played on Swedish Radio and has appeared on television and at parties. Alongside other musicians as Joseph Malke, he has worked to bring Assyrians together in organizations through the use of music.

Early life Mousa was born on 9 October 1952, in Al-Malikiyah, and raised in Qamishli. His family's origins are from Azakh (modern day İdil, Turkey). At the age of ten, he was appointed as the head of his church's choir, and he would also become a deacon. Although his first language was Arabic, he eventually picked up and became fluent in Syriac.

Career Mousa's professional career began in 1968 when he produced the song "Shamo Mar" ; ADO sent a press release after stating that the reasons for his performance ban were politically based.

In 2015, Mousa took part in a series of concerts titled "Best of Sweden", along with Nasser Razazi, Osman Abdulrahim, Ramy Essam, and Safoura Safavi. In 2021, Mousa released his first album in 20 years, a compilation album titled 50 Years with Habib Mousa.

Messaging in music During the 1980s, Mousa was involved in competition between the Assyrer and Syrianer movements as part of the Assyrian naming dispute and naming conflict in Sweden, and felt that he was ostracized from both communities for not taking a position along either movements. Although he made a song as an attempt to compromise, those of the Syrianer movement usually do not invite him to perform.

Mousa has addressed Turkification policies that impacted Assyrian villages in Midyat. In one song, he sings about the village of Enhil, challenging actions by the government of Turkey in removing traces of the Assyrian heritage of Tur Abdin, while establishing himself and other "Enhiloye" as the village's leaders. Mousa's songs have also addressed Assyrians being forced to leave their homeland in exchange for an uncertain future.

Albums Shamo Mar Vol. 1 (1968) Yelta Men Demmi: Assyrian Folklore (1978) Ninwe (1986) O Habibo - Collection 1971-72 (reissue) (1989) Mazlo Li Qritho (1990) Cafro D-Beth Nahrain (1995) Urhoy (2001) 50 Years with Habib Mousa (2021)

Singles Single Vol.2a, ‘Laymoutho w-Hubo and Lebi Kriho-Yo (1971) Single Vol.2b, O Habibo and Lo Tehfokh (1971) Single Vol.2c, Zabno Tloumo and Shlome Shlome (1971) Single Vol.2d, Zliqe Frisi and G-Rohmo-No O Habibaydi (1972) Single Vol.2e, Shamo Mar and Wardo (1972)