The 'ud (also known as the oud) is a musical instrument common to all Arab cultures.

Rahim AlHaj comes from Iraq, a country once famous for its ‘ud (lute) players. A virtuoso ‘udist and composer, he was born in Baghdad where he studied at the Baghdad Conservatory in 1990 and performed with the great Munir Bashir. In 1991, after the first Gulf War, Alhaj's activism against the Saddam Hussein regime led to his forced move to Jordan and Syria. He has been a political refugee in the US since 2000, and dedicated himself to keeping the music of his embattled homeland alive. His music is inspired by exile and new beginnings, and delicately combines traditional Iraqi maqams (modes) with contemporary styles without altering the foundation of the traditional Iraqi school of ‘ud.

A Smithsonian Folkways Recording by Rahim Alhaj with extensive liner notes. A studio and several live performances available on YouTube.