Beating the Drum of Peace
Conflicts between cultures and religions are not easily resolved, nor is there one single path to achieving coexistence and peace. The beauty of Karen Armstrong’s wish is that she is emphasizing that a first and crucial step is remembering our common value of compassion. Bishara Naddaf, the charismatic percussionist of the Arab/Jewish Ensemble in the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, uses his music to break down barriers. He shares his message of tolerance through drumming workshops (using the darbuka) in schools and congregations.
“Music is a universal language,” Naddaf said. “When playing music, all discrepancies and dissimilarities in opinion, political views, religion, nationality or otherwise become non-relevant since it has no bearing on the musical piece itself.
“You can take a random selection of artists from anywhere in the world, a Westerner or an Easterner, right-winged or left-winged, liberal or conservative, Jewish, Christian, Muslim or Buddhist…give them a note sheet of any composition written by any composer, and behold how the melody coming out of their instruments merge in a harmonical fashion surpassing any of the differences I have mentioned earlier,” Naddaf said.
Dear Ms. Karen Armstrong:
My name is Abbas Aboohamidi. I have watched documentaries and talk shows like Bill Moyers that you have spoken in and really appreciate your effort to bring the three religions of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam together. I recently watched your video speech in Ted institution receiving your prize and wanted to offer help with your wish to the extent of my abilities, this is that I completely believe in and agree with what you presented in that speech. Please let me know if I can be of any help. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Abbas Aboohamidi
This is an interesting cause. There are so many similarities between these three faiths that there is little reason for us not to join hands in certain endeavors. At exegeek.com, our mission is to bring Christian “high theology” to a level where it becomes accessible to all. Primarily, we’re in a business of helping people understand the Truth. It was extremely encouraging to see Rev. Graham featured on your site since he is a perfect example of one who has done what we are trying to do and I hope that our individual goals can come to a unified point.