In this episode of the Sumud Podcast, Dr. Ed Hasan sits down with legendary musician Roger Waters and Palestinian singer-songwriter Mona Miari to discuss their powerful reimagining of Comfortably Numb and the story behind its creation. Mona and Roger reflect on the year-long creative process, the grief and inspiration behind the song, Palestinian history and culture, and how music can challenge indifference and keep people from becoming numb to human suffering. They also discuss the emotional story behind the song’s Palestinian lullaby, the making of its accompanying film, and the responsibility artists have to speak out for freedom, justice, and human rights.

Roger Waters, founding member and principal lyricist of Pink Floyd, is one of the most influential figures in modern music history. As the creative force behind landmark albums including The Dark Side of the Moon and The Wall, his work has shaped generations of listeners through its political consciousness and emotional depth. A lifelong activist, Waters’ connection to Palestine traces back to his childhood, when his father worked as a teacher in the region, shaping his early awareness of its realities. In this project, Waters revisits Comfortably Numb not as nostalgia, but as a living work - reframed through collaboration as a response to the present moment.

Mona Miari is an internationally acclaimed Palestinian singer-songwriter and artistic director based in New York City, whose work bridges global audiences while rooted in Arabic traditions. The first Arab singer to perform at Boston’s Hatch Memorial Shell with the Boston Landmarks Orchestra, she has headlined major venues including Lincoln Center, BAM, and The Public Theater, and performed internationally across Europe, the Arab world, and South Africa. She is the Artistic Director of the New York Arab Chorus and a recipient of residencies from the Rockefeller Brothers Fund and La Maison de Beaumont. Her debut album, releasing in 2026, showcases a bold body of original work grounded in storytelling and cross-cultural influence.

In this conversation, we explore
→ The story behind Comfortably Numb Reimagined
→ How Roger Waters and Mona Miari began collaborating
→ Roger Waters’ response and the year-long creative collaboration
→ Hind Rajab, the Palestinian lullaby, and the story behind the rising sun
→ Palestinian musical traditions and the meaning of “Falastin”
→ Centering Palestinian humanity, culture, memory, and everyday life
→ How music and artists can challenge propaganda, injustice, and indifference
→ The meaning of Sumud, resilience, and remaining human through resistance

Director: Dr. Ed Hasan | 2026