Eurovision: the annual song contest between every country in Europe, and a few outside, uniting the world’s nations through music. Every year, the countries compete, and the winning nation hosts the next year’s competition. In 2024’s contest in Sweden, Swiss artist “Nemo” made history as the first non-binary winner of Eurovision. Because Switzerland won, this year’s contest will be held there, in Basel.
The nation Azerbaijan is in Western Asia and is a competitor of Eurovision. They are a predominantly Muslim country, and has won the contest only once. However, this year, the Muslim nation made a historical decision to choose a Jewish led band to represent them. Azerbaijan will be represented by the band “Mamagama” at the Eurovision Song Contest. Formed in 2021, Mamagama is a trio known for blending rock and pop themes with traditional Azerbaijani musical elements.
The band is led by Jewish Mountain Singer Asaf Mishiyev, from the Azeri capital, Baku. He is well-known within Azerbaijan's Jewish community, which has around 30,000 people. Mishiyev has a background in music education and has represented Azerbaijan in international Jewish music competitions, but never with the caliber of Eurovision.
Aside from the obvious significance of a Jew representing a Muslim country, the band's participation in Eurovision 2025 is also a milestone, because it is the first time that Azerbaijan will be represented by a band, as opposed to a solo artist.
Azerbaijan has been known for its efforts to celebrate tolerance and interfaith cooperation, with its diverse population including Azerbaijanis, Russians, Armenians, and Jews. While it seems insignificant, this small step towards cooperation between Jews and Muslims is a tremendous deal. Jews and Muslims have been fighting for almost 1500 years, and this could be the first baby step towards peace. It’s more important now than ever to remember that all people bleed the same, breathe the same, and sleep the same: we are all living on the same earth, and we have to coexist. Never forget that it is an obligation as a human to stay informed. Information is the hidden key to preventing injustice.
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