M. M. ALAM

KARACHI: Few hundred meters from where the Pressman Daniel Pearl’s kidnapping began fourteen years ago,  Arabian Sea Breeze kept on hissing through the swaying leaves of palms in the majestic mansion of US Consul General Grace Shelton, Tuesday October, 25th evening. 

She gave a red carpet welcome to karachiites who converged there to be part of Harmony for Humanity – musical tribute to Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl (a courageous journalist who went harm’s way in search of truth). Musical performances have been held since 2002 in over 140 countries.

One may marvel why a melodious homage to a slain pressman? Danny was a talented writer who was adept enough with the written words to make a living in the top ranks of journalism. But it was in music that he found an essential form of expression.

A talented violinist, fiddler and mandolin player Danny kept passion for music ignited throughout his career. During numerous postings all over the world he joined town bands, orchestras and chamber groups.

Consequently, he left behind a long trail of musician friends in cities across the world stretching from Los Angeles, Hong Kong, Atlanta, Paris, Tehran to Mumbai.

Daniel Pearl’s family chose music to celebrate the ideals of tolerance friendship and shared humanity.  They formed a foundation to further the ideals that inspired Danny’s life and work, spotlight his love of music to build bridges and create friendship.

Consul General Grace Shelton while observing a minute of silence to commemorate those who lost their lives in the October 24^th terrorist attack in Quetta, dedicated the event to the slain people.

Speaking on the occasion Grace Shelton stated:  “I listened to The Sketches last week in Hyderabad and was moved by the music and its ideas of love and harmony. I am really excited people this evening can hear that message, which is interwoven with the beautiful fusion of Sindhi traditional and contemporary instruments and rhythms. Pakistanis and Americans are once again standing together tonight to promote a message of tolerance, respect and mutual understanding.” KARACHI: U.S. Deputy Chief of Mission Jonathan Pratt while answering  to NewsPaksitan.TV query agreed that Pakistan was a dangerous country for journalists and measures needed to be taken in order to protect them. Earlier Jonathan Pratt very rightly held that Grace is the best American diplomat on the planet (Earth)!

Musical performances have been held since 2002 in over 140 countries. This year bands The Sketches led by fusionist Saif Samejo and Sounds of Kolachi led by Ahsan Bari were featured.

KARACHI: Daniel Pearl – a courageous journalist who went harm’s way in search of truth.This scribe met Danny’s French wife (now 49-year-old)  Mariane van Neyenhoff Pearl (a freelance journalist) in the office of Karachi-based advocate Zia Ahmed Awan. At that time she was pregnant. She had gone public as an articulate advocate of fighting terrorism. 

Mariane with their child that Danny never saw. Mariane published a memoir ‘A Mighty Heart: The inside story…’ in 2003  about her husband. Later a movie of the same name was released in 2007. As Danny’s son looks on President Barack Obama signs  the legislation intended to promote a free Press around the world. (This bipartisan measure was  inspired by the assassination of Daniel Pearl shortly after the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001).

KARACHI: The Consul General of USA here Grace Shelton and US Deputy Chief of Mission Jonathan Pratt (posted in Islamabad) seen welcoming the Speaker of Sindh Assembly Agha Siraj Durrani. 

KARACHI: US Consulate General’s Public Affairs Officer John Warner spoke  about the significance of Daniel Pearl Music Day(s) towards the end of the event.