Harmony for Humanity is the theme for the 9th Annual Daniel Pearl World Music Days which will be held from 1 – 31 October 2010, when musicians from all over the world get together and dedicate their performances to a common humanity, in the name of the journalist and musician Daniel Pearl who was murdered by his abductors in Pakistan in 2002.
The Daniel Pearl Foundation
The Daniel Pearl Foundation was formed in his memory to further the ideals that inspired Daniel's life and work. The foundation's mission is to promote cross-cultural understanding through journalism, music, and innovative communications. In 2002, which would have been his 39th birthday, the Foundation launched the first Daniel Pearl World Music Days
Musicians and groups around the world, both amateur and professional, are invited to participate in this worldwide consciousness raising event to affirm their commitment to international friendship and take a stand against the divisive forces that took Danny’s life.
Daniel Pearl World Music Days
Since 2002, Daniel Pearl World Music Days has grown to include the participation of more than 4,900 performances in 102 countries.
The Daniel Pearl World Music Days Honorary Committee includes Sir Elton John, Itzhak Perlman, Herbie Hancock, R.E.M., Zubin Meta, Alison Krauss, Matisyahu, Steve Reich, Ravi Shankar, Mark O'Connor among other distinguished musicians
All Musicians are Welcome
And as the website emphasizes: “There is no financial obligation to participate and all musicians are welcome. World Music Days is an awareness-raising program, not a fundraiser.”
A quick visit to the website shows that it is really easy to become a participant. All musicians have to do is to sign up on the website and register their performances, scheduled between 1 – 31 October. These events will be included on the online Events Calendar.
The only other requirement is that need to include a brief dedication from the stage or in a printed program supporting the theme Harmony for Humanity during their concert.
Who was Daniel Pearl?
Daniel Pearl World Music Days was created in response to the 2002 kidnapping and murder of Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl at the hands of extremists in Karachi, Pakistan.
It was just four months after 9/11 and people’s emotions were still raw. At the time of his kidnapping, Pearl served as the South Asia Bureau Chief of the Wall Street Journal, and was based in Mumbai, India.
Pearl, was on the trail of shoe bomber" Richard Reid and hoped to meet with Sheik Gilani, a spiritual leader, at the Village Restaurant in downtown Karachi when he was abducted by a militant group calling itself The National Movement for the Restoration of Pakistani Sovereignty near the Metropole Hotel on January 23, 2002.
The group claimed Pearl was a CIA operations officer and sent the United States a range of demands via e-mail. Photos of Pearl handcuffed with a gun at his head and holding up a newspaper were attached. There was no response to pleas from Pearl's editor, or from his wife Mariane.
Prayers for the Release of Daniel Pearl
People around the world watched this drama play out and prayed for the release of Daniel Pearl together with his pregnant wife Mariane and his family. His murder was confirmed on February 21, 2002. He was beheaded by his captors.
Two days before his abduction and subsequent murder, Danny (as he was known to everybody who came into contact with him) learned that his beloved wife was expecting a baby boy; he chose the name Adam for their son. In May, just three months after his murder, Mariane Pearl gave birth to their son, Adam Daniel Pearl, in Paris, France on 28 May 2002.
Following his murder, Danny's family and friends established the Daniel Pearl Foundation to carry on his legacy, using music and words to address the root causes of the hatred that took his life.
Mission of the Daniel Pearl Foundation
Danny's family and friends came together to work towards a more humane world, forming the Daniel Pearl Foundation. The mission of the Foundation is to promote cross-cultural understanding through journalism, music, and innovative communications. The annual World Music Days are a way that people around the world, irrespective of race, religion or creed can get together through music to celebrate the goodness of their common humanity.
Karen Lotter - Karen Lotter is a journalist and writer based in Durban, South Africa. She has written profiles, features, advertising copy, ...
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