Hayy Jameel hosted its inaugural drumming circle on Saturday, June 22, 2026, launching a new monthly program aimed at fostering community bonds through rhythm, movement, and shared creative expression. The event, organized under the Hayy Sounds and Hayy Wellness initiatives, introduced participants to collective drumming as an interactive experience, welcoming individuals of all ages and backgrounds regardless of prior musical experience.
Wellness Benefits and Inclusive Participation
Drumming circles are widely recognized for their wellness benefits, including relaxation, emotional release, improved focus, and enhanced group awareness. The session encouraged attendees to create music together, breaking into groups to compose original songs. Drummer Saif Halal, who led the session, noted: “We had participants break into groups, and each group came up with their own unique song. Because the drum is so elemental, everyone was able to come together, collaborate and create a unique beat with their group.”
Halal emphasized the importance of listening in the drumming circle: “The biggest lesson is the power of listening. In a drumming circle, to truly express your individuality, you first have to be open and willing to listen to the contributions of others. Participants had to listen to my guidance to start, and also learn to listen to themselves. Working with sound is a path that helps me discover my own individual expression. It’s a beautiful cycle that translates directly into building stronger, more balanced relationships both within and beyond.”
Inspiration and Community Response
Halal credited his teacher, Alaa Abanami, as the primary inspiration for the sessions. “When the idea was presented to the Hayy Jameel team, they were incredibly open and graciously welcomed us. Today was our first session, and the response was wonderful. By the end, everyone was playing, sharing and leaving with genuine joy and excitement for the next session.” He expressed hope that participants would discover the same magic he felt with drums, tap into their musicality, and find inner flow, fostering greater connection and joy.
Participant Mohamed Hassan Ali Gomaa described the session as focusing on “connection through rhythm,” aiming to create a space for people from diverse backgrounds to express themselves through music. “Participants are encouraged to leave feeling energized, relaxed and more connected to both themselves and those around them. Rhythm has always been seen as a universal language that brings people together, which inspired the creation of community drumming circles built around unity, joy and shared experience.”
Enriching Jeddah's Cultural Landscape
The sessions are designed to reduce stress, build confidence, and strengthen participants' sense of belonging. Gomaa noted: “Jeddah’s growing cultural landscape is further enriched by group drumming, which encourages participation rather than observation and helps foster stronger cultural connections through creativity and rhythm.” Dania Jaber, public programs and events coordinator at Hayy Jameel, stated: “We believe public programming should be welcoming, accessible and rooted in community. We are always looking for ways to bring people together through shared creative experiences, whether that is music, learning, making or wellness. A great example is our new Hayy Sounds x Hayy Wellness initiative, presented through the Drumming Circles project, which invites participants to connect in a fun and inclusive setting.” The sessions are free and open to all participants, with the next circle scheduled for the following month.
