Cultures without borders – Peace through music
By Ameer H Ahmad
KARACHI: Salman Ahmad – the prominent guitarist of the defunct Pakistani rock music band “Junoon”, a peace activist and a goodwill ambassador of the UNAIDS – was part of a special lecture series held on Wednesday at the Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH).
The lecture series is a part of AKUH’s multidisciplinary and broad-based approach towards education in which prominent personalities and scholars are invited to illuminate the students and the general public on meaningful and engaging topics of public interest.
Ahmad was there to speak about his new book “Rock & Roll Jihad” and how music can bring the world together. He said, “When there is darkness everywhere, music and rhythm picks you up”. The lecture series was interspersed with Ahmad singing and strumming the guitar to songs like “Lal Meri Pat”, “Stairway to Heaven” and “Dil Dil Pakistan”.
Ahmad reminisced about his younger years when his mother told him that if he didn’t become a doctor, then he would not be able to get a respectable job or a bride. After completing his studies and becoming a doctor, he took a year off to pursue his passion, music. He joked that that “one year” has yet to conclude.
He said people don’t follow their true passion due to a fear of failure, which can be paralysing, but diligence and determination are keys to achieving your dreams. “If you follow your “junoon”, doors will open for you,” he added. He remembered the day when, during General Ziaul Haq’s regime, he and his fellow students organised a clandestine talent show, which was interrupted by men sporting beards who ultimately destroyed his guitar. Even that didn’t deter him as his “heart said to do this even more.”
He outlined the 5 C’s of jamming – communication, compassion, collaboration, creativity and cooperation – which he learned while jamming during college years with ex-musician Junaid Jamshed. He then talked about his NGO, Salman & Samina Global Wellness Initiative (SSGWI), which focuses on interfaith and cross-cultural dialogue, global health and wellness, and music education.
In the end of the lecture series, there was a short Q&A session to encourage students and other attendees to ask questions. In response to a question by a student who was interested to volunteer with the SSGWI, Salman said they could forward their enquiries through the Junoon website. He stressed on acquiring knowledge and education, and said ignorance makes society ritualistic and it can be seen in rituals like honour killings, which still persist unchecked.
Source: Daily Times
Date:2/11/2010
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