islamabad
The US Embassy in Islamabad and the Folklore Society of Pakistan celebrated Daniel Pearl Word Music Days by holding “Tradition of Peace Through Music” concert here at Lok Virsa Museum.
The concert featured four musical groups, representing a variety of Pakistani musical traditions.  The diversity in Pakistan’s rich musical heritage was highlighted while demonstrating the power of music to bring people together to promote peace and mutual understanding.
The concert was part of the 13th annual Daniel Pearl World Music Days, which has been held worldwide in October since 2002 to commemorate slain US Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl. Daniel Pearl World Music Days is an international network of concerts that uses the power of music to reaffirm a global commitment to tolerance and humanity. Since its inception, Daniel Pearl World Music Days has grown to more than 11,000 performances in 129 countries.
“Tonight’s performance is about celebrating music, promoting tolerance, and inspiring respect for others,” said James Cerven, Assistant Cultural Attaché of the US Embassy in Islamabad.
The musicians displayed a variety of folk and Sufi-inspired musical styles.  During an interactive session, Maatra presented the history of Pakistan’s most distinctive percussive instruments, including the tabla, naqqara and pakhawaj.  Key figures of Pakistan’s arts and music scene were among an audience of over 500 people.
The US Embassy provides over $1 million annually in support of musical arts programming in Pakistan.