Doha, September 24 (QNA) - The Music Affairs Center, under the Ministry of Culture, hosted a seminar titled "The Arabic Maqam: Its Inter­vals, Ajnas and Branches" as part of its "Musical Salon" series aimed at introducing Arab musical heritage through theoretical analysis and live performance.

Presented by oud player Amir Ayad alongside the Center's ensemble, the seminar explored the Arab maqam as a foundational pillar of Eastern music, detailing its structure, technical characteristics, and tonal relationships.

The session covered eight primary Arab maqamat: Rast, Nahawand, Ajam, Kurd, Bayati, Hijaz, Saba, and Sikah. To illustrate the theoretical concepts, the ensemble performed eight live musical segments corresponding to each maqam, giving attendees a practical listening experience.

The discussion also addressed structural variations across different regional musical schools, the role of the maqam in contemporary music, and the impacts of globalization and modern cultural shifts on the Arab musical landscape. (QNA)