Qatar-Jordan Cultural Exchange: Qatar’s Ministry of Culture will be guest of honour at Jordan’s 40th Jerash Festival for Culture and Arts (July 22–Aug 2), with an official pavilion and poetry evenings highlighting Qatari literary and intangible heritage. Middle East Music & Live Scene: Türkiye’s first-half 2026 concert boom is drawing global crowds, with major names across hip-hop, rock, electronic and pop in Istanbul and beyond. Music in the Region’s Spotlight: Lebanese singer Fadel Shaker was released on bail after months in custody ahead of a retrial tied to 2013 clashes, with investigations still ongoing. World Cup Soundtrack, Morocco Edition: Morocco fans are turning Boston into a red-and-green hub ahead of the France-Morocco quarterfinal, with the city’s FIFA fan zone dismantled as supporters take over downtown. Rock Release Watch: U2 teased new music with “Street of Dreams,” featuring Larry Mullen Jr’s return on drums, ahead of a long-awaited album. Iran Mourning & Tension: Iran buried Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in Mashhad as the US-Iran standoff flared again, shaping the week’s wider regional mood.