Jordan's famed pianist Zade Dirani was appointed as UNICEF MENA 's regional ambassador during a press conference on Monday.
"We are deeply honored that Zade Dirani has accepted this role,” said Saad Houry, UNICEF Regional Director for MENA, according to Al Arabiya .
"His amazing talent is critical at a time when the region is in dire need for peace, tolerance, and cultural understanding,” he added.
With Jordan being home to more than a million refugees, Dirani's role will be essential in changing things for the millions of children who are caught in conflict, violence and poverty.
“As we look around our region, we are reminded how critical it is to continue to raise our voices for the protection of children, especially the most vulnerable,” Dirani said .
“I firmly believe that music transcends borders and is a powerful tool for peace and mutual respect.”
Dirani has been widely involved in humanitarian and non-for-profit work throughout his lifetime.
He founded The Zade Foundation, a non-profit organization, aimed at helping young musicians share their cultures with the rest of the world. The foundation offers musicians an opportunity to expand their roles from musicians to pro-active peace builders and future community leaders.
In 2015, Iraq's Kadim Al-Sahir was appointed as a regional ambassador, joining Lebanon's Nancy Ajram (2009) and Egypt's Mahmoud Kabil (2003).
