An Iraqi violinist held a concert in Mosul as troops battle ISIS

He played at a site symbolizing Muslim and Christian unity.

Iraqi violinist, Ameen Mukdad held an hour-long performance in an ancient site revered by both Muslims and Christians in Mosul, Iraq, on Wednesday, Reuters reported.

Thousands, including Mukdad, had been forced to flee the city after it fell under the rule of Daech (ISIS) militants in 2014.

The musician fled to Baghdad, where he still lives, after fighters broke into his house, confiscated his instruments, and told him that playing or listening to music is a violation of Islam.

Before he was forced to flee the city, the musician defied Daech (IS) militants by continuing to play his music at home, closing the windows to avoid being heard. 

His event in Mosul marks the first time he visits the city after its eastern half was liberated by Iraqi forces in January. Even though most parts of the city have been liberated, ISIS militants continue to control "the Old City across the Tigris river."

Speaking to Reuters, he explains that he chose to play near the ruins of the "Tomb of Jonas, or Mosque of the Prophet Younis," because it is a site that symbolizes unity to Muslims.

"This is a place for all, not just one sect. ISIS represents no religion but is an ideology that suppresses freedom," he said.  

"We still want to be happy."

The fact that only twenty people attended the event is a sign that many locals still live in fear, given what they had to endure under the terrorist group's rule.

But the performance is also a symbol of the slow return of life to the city and comes at a time when ISIS is losing its ground in what was once considered its Iraqi "capital."

Tahany Saleh, a woman attending the concert said that the "performance was like a dream," adding that not even war can stop life in Mosul.

"You can see all this damage, but we still want to be happy, we want to listen music," she said.

This 'Fast & Furious' star just set up shop in the UAE

Tyrese Gibson's Voltron Motors is coming to the Arab world.

Tyrese Gibson, a star of the blockbuster Fast & Furious franchise has signed an agreement to set up shop in the United Arab Emirates.

The American actor and Grammy-nominated singer will open his custom jeep assembly business in Sharjah, according to Arabian Business. Gibson's company, Voltron Motors, signed the agreement with Souq Al Haraj, a property of Sharjah Asset Management. 

Gibson said he's happy to open shop in the UAE

"It is a vibrant and attractive environment. All the international automobile brands are present in this market,” Gibson said. 

He pointed to further expansion within the region as well.

"Our coming center in Souq Al Haraj will be the gateway for the mother company to the Middle East Region," he said.

The deal will see Gibson's custom jeeps displayed in more than 300 showrooms in the MENA region.

The news comes after Gibson's recent visit to the UAE

Earlier this month, Gibson came to the UAE for a red-carpet premiere of the 8th installment of the Fast & Furious franchise. During the event, he emphasized how much he loves the region. 

"I want to be the beacon of positive light coming into the Middle East," Gibson said, saying that he'd personally worked hard on bringing the premiere to the UAE, according to Gulf News.

The star never felt "more welcomed than in the UAE"

In 2015, Gibson talked to The National about filming Furious 7 in the UAE, saying he'd never felt "more welcomed than in the UAE."

"The UAE is one of the safest places I’ve ever been. And outside of the mega-yachts and the big royal palaces – the common men and women of Dubai are the nicest people I’ve ever been exposed to," Gibson said.

"I don’t remember ever sitting at so many dinner tables in people’s private homes and feeling a part of the family as I did in the UAE," he said.