The Power of Music: Fardoos' Journey of Integration in Finland
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
I met Fardoos for the first time in a celebration party organized by ‘Luetaan yhdessä’ where our Finnish courses are held. It was truly one of the best parties. Fardoos chorus team created such a happy and lively atmosphere with dance, music and singing. They were all warm-hearted people, friendly, and joyful. They kindly invited everybody to participate in their dance around the tables and share smiles and joy. We felt like one happy family; no borders, no separation, but all together united.
After talking to Fardoos in person,I understood that she uses singing and music as a tool for integration and helping many women in her community. Therefore she describes her chorus as an important instrument with multiple benefits. She emphasises that now the women of her chorus get involved in the activities, and they know that they can express themselves freely, what rights they have and what equality really means to them.
Shaam ry is established by Fardoos, and she does kindly all this for free as a hobby, with the good purpose of serving life and humanity.
Fardoos’ life in Syria
Fardoos is originally from Syria. She came to visit Finland in 2008. She is married, has three kids, and lives in Helsinki now. In Syria, she had worked as health inspector for 14 years at the ministry of health. In addition she also had her own hairdressing business. She says that in 2011 when being in Finland, she had been planning to return to Syria, but the war started, and this forced her to stay here in Finland.
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Fardoos’ life in Finland
Currently Fardoos is working at the Vamos Diakonissalaitos, where she supports young foreigners at the age of 16-29 to move forward in their life. Fardoos has worked in various social services with immigrants. At the moment she has also just finished studying at the Diak University of Applied science to become an interpreter.
Fardoos also started her political journey by running in the municipal elections in 2021, where she was elected as a deputy member for the Social Democratic Party group, in addition to serving as a member of the Culture and Library Committee. Fardoos then participated in the parliamentary elections in 2023. Later, she ran again in the municipal elections in 2025, and she currently holds a position of trust in the Culture and Leisure Committee, Sports Division, as well as serving as a deputy member of the Social Democratic Party Council.
In free time, Fardoos guides the Haneen Suomi Choir, and Shaam ry; an organization established by her which carries musical activities and performances such as concerts, and singing in a choir of women.
Shaam association
Fardoos is the leader of the Shaam ry, and the Haneen Suomi Choir. The purpose of Shaam association is to maintain and support cultural and fun activities, especially for women immigrants from Arab countries who live in Finland, and to increase their emotional well-being. The Shaam association's goal is to use music to grow and expand interaction between immigrants and other people living here in Finland, as well as cooperation and collaboration through cultural and entertainment musical activities. It also aims to support the integration of people who have immigrated into Finnish society. Their intention and purpose is also to admire positively the culture of the peoples of Arab countries in Finland.
Haneen Suomi Choir
As Fardoos describes her passion for her music activity, she says: ‘’I have been singing since I was a child.’’ And Fardoos mentions also that the word ‘’Haneen’’ which is represented in the choir name means nostalgia and longing. She emphasises that the idea behind establishing the choir is to promote women’s rights and help them to express themselves in their own way and of course with freedom of choice and respect. She says that the choir sings traditional songs from Arab countries, mainly from Syria, with the positive intention of going beyond singing as well. Fardoos says: ‘’The choir provides psychological support and strengthens friendship among its members, and helps them to find relief in the time of life hardships; somehow being therapeutic for the women. We believe in the power of community, and we are happily part of the Haneen Choir Network, which sings around the world. The choir helps the Arab-speaking women to integrate positively into the Finnish society as well.’’Sure! Please provide me with the topic or main points of the article you would like an excerpt for.
As final point, we asked Fardoos to give us kindly a powerful message for our readers and here it is:
"Although I can’t change the world alone, it is important to me that my values remain steadfast.”