Kepera Records is happy to announce the release of Sujoud, an album for two ouds, bringing together the Palestinian Nizar Rohana and the Iranian Yasamin Shahhosseini, with guest percussionist Ruven Ruppik on five tracks.

Stream: https://orcd.co/b1xlbjn
Bandcamp: https://nizarrohana.bandcamp.com/album/sujoud

Composed and arranged by Rohana, Sujoud is an intricate dialogue that explores the sonic possibilities of two distinct voices meeting. 
Beyond their individuality as artists, Rohana and Shahhosseini are rooted in two musical heritages that hardly ever meet: the Persian tradition and its Arab, particularly Egypto-Levantine, counterpart.

The album is the culmination of many years of Rohana's exploration of counterpoint within the maqam tradition. Its compositional techniques range from the simple doubling of melodic lines, as in the title piece "Sujoud," to elaborate contrapuntal writing, as in "Ila Yasamin" At times the two ouds move as a single voice; at others they imitate one another, exchange phrases and responses, or develop independently along interwoven lines.

The result is a rich conversation between two similar instruments, with every line and response clearly heard. Guest percussionist Ruven Ruppik deepens that conversation with his remarkable musicianship and unique presence.

In both Arabic and Persian, sujoud refers to an ancient act found in many cultures: bowing in awe. For Rohana and Shahhosseini, it means deep adoration: for one another, for their shared musical journeys, and for those who endure and survive immense hardship every day. Sujoud is offered as a humble tribute to every child finding a way through the darkness, across the globe, and as a prayer of hope, particularly for those who most need it in their conflict-ridden part of the world. 

released November 6, 2026

Nizar Rohana, oud
Yasamin Shahhosseini, oud
Ruven Ruppik, percussion (on tracks 2, 3, 4, 6, 8)

Composed and arranged by Nizar Rohana except track 5 by Nizar Rohana and Yasamin Shahhosseini

Recorded at WedgeView Studios, The Netherlands, 9-11 September 2025

Recording: Roeland Jacobs
Mixing: Tony Overwater
Mastering: Frans de Rond
Design:  Odesign.nl
Photography: Federico Castelli
Video: Michel Gasco
Artistic Supervision: Bishara Khell
Translation & Editing: Amr Elbargisi
Co-producer: Abhilash Nambiar & Claypot Technologies
Produced by Nizar Rohana
Label: Kepera Records
Distributed by Challenge Records International

This album was made possible with the support of the Arab Fund for Arts and Culture (AFAC)