[1] Further to solo appearances on the oud with the Syrian National Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Solhi Al Wadi, Rafea has performed internationally in Europe, North Africa, the Middle East and the United States.
[2][3] In 2003, Syrian clarinet player Kinan Azmeh, singer Dima Orsho, Issam Rafea and others started the world fusion ensemble Hewar (Arabic for Dialogue).
[4] On his website, Azmeh described Hewar as "an attempt to transcend the barriers of cultural disparities and misconceptions, and establish a civilized communication which builds on what brings humans closer together rather than separates them.
"[5] At the beginning of the 2000s, Rafea was conductor of the Syrian National Orchestra for Arabic Music (SNOAM) in Damascus, before the civil war in Syria forced him and other members into exile from their homeland.
[6] In the early 2010s, the Syrian National Orchestra for Arabic Music conducted by Rafea became known internationally for collaborating with British virtual band Gorillaz on their Plastic Beach album track White Flag.
[7] In 2010, musician Jens Christian "Chappe" Jensen, the founder of Danish big band Blood, Sweat, Drum + Bass, went on a trip to Syria and met with Rafea and ney player Moslem Rahal.