Salman Ahmad plays for peace

By Nihan Yesil - University News - Kansas City,MO,USA

Monday, November 13, 2006

Salman Ahmad, South-Asian rock star and activist, filled Stack Auditorium with his music and messages for world peace last Friday, Nov. 10.

"It was the first time I played in a lecture hall, but it shows you the power of music," said Ahmad, "how it can break all walls, all boundaries, and get people together as one."

Ahmad is a guitarist, songwriter and founder of the world-famous South-Asian rock band Junoon (passion), whose music combines traditional Pakistani melodies, Western rock sound and Sufi poetry. Ahmad, who is actually trained as a medical doctor, formed the band in 1990. He quit practicing medicine to follow his passion and spread the peace via his music.

Junoon and Ahmad have appeared on many major TV channels and newspapers and been the subject of documentaries. Junoon is more than a commercial rock band. Political and cultural issues influence their lyrics. The band became so popular among Pakistani youth that the government saw the band as a threat.After protesting the possession of nuclear weapons in Pakistan and India, they were branded as traitors by the government.

Despite the fundamentalists' efforts, Junoon's music reached more people. Junoon despised the hostility between Pakistan and India and promoted peace between two countries.