Musician Omer Khedr is the new ICORN resident in Piteå
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Omer Khedr is a singer, music producer, filmmaker, and media producer from Sudan. Khedr has been professionally active for more than a decade and holds a bachelor’s degree in Multimedia Studies. His work consistently focuses on issues of human rights, democracy, and freedom of expression. In 2026, Khedr arrived in Piteå, becoming the city’s fourth ICORN resident.
Throughout his career, Khedr has performed as a professional singer at a variety of venues. He has produced his own songs, as well as writing music and providing production work for other artists. As a filmmaker, he has produced and directed programs and reports for multiple television channels, news outlets, and social media platforms.
Khedr was highly active in the protests against al-Bashir’s authoritarian military regime, backed by the Muslim Brotherhood, which spanned nearly three decades and committed several massacres against civilians, most recently the infamous Khartoum sit-in massacre, before being overthrown in 2019. Khedr wrote and performed political songs criticizing al-Bashir's regime and the violent crackdown on protesters under his and subsequent governments. His best-known song, ‘Down with Bashir’ (2019), was widely shared on social media, with its accompanying video featuring real footage of the popular demonstrations.
Following the overthrow of al-Bashir, Khedr continued to produce and perform political protest songs to keep pace with new developments, which included a transitional government and another coup in October 2021. He is currently working on his upcoming documentary film, set to launch soon, which focuses on multiple aspects of the political developments, the peaceful protests of 2019, and the violent, often lethal response by government forces. Khedr’s politically oriented work has been significant in raising awareness of the ongoing crisis in Sudan, providing a vital platform for activism against continued human rights violations.
Ultimately, this work made Khedr the target of persecution and threats within Sudan by the al-Bashir regime, its remnants, and the quasi-governmental Rapid Support Forces (RSF). As a result, he reached Piteå in June 2026, commencing a two-year ICORN residency to protect and support him as a resident artist.
Piteå ICORN City of Refuge
Piteå is a Swedish city located in the Gulf of Bothnia, which joined ICORN in 2016. Since then, the city has focused on hosting musicians at risk owing to its rich musical scene, culture, and history.
In 2018, Piteå welcomed its first ICORN resident, Zimbabwean musician Cris Gera. In 2020, Iranian rapper and singer-songwriter Justina began her ICORN residency in the city. In 2023, Yusuf Suleiman became Piteå’s third ICORN resident, continuing his musical work in the safety of the Swedish city. Omer Khedr arrived in Piteå in June 2026, becoming the city’s fourth ICORN resident.
Throughout 2026, Piteå is celebrating its 10th anniversary as an ICORN City of Refuge. To mark the occasion, the city has organised a jubilee programme with cultural events and activities. Find out more about the programme here.
