As he prepares to perform, Assyrian refugee George Karam feels several emotions, including sadness, anguish, happiness and hope.

The song he’s about to perform on his oud is unlike other pieces he has composed. The song is called ‘The Escape’ and it depicts how the Assyrian community of northern Syria fled an impending Islamic State invasion.

Mr Karam was born in a small village in the city of Al Hasakah in the north-eastern corner of Syria, …