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August 17, 2008

The deepest of emotions are invoked by language. The word junoon means “obsessive, passion” in Urdu, an Indian language born between the Ganges and Jamuna Rivers near Delhi. Its multicultural tradition developed side by side with the growth of Sufism that resulted from the literary products of earlier varieties of dialects, variously known as Gujari and Hindawi. It was also called Dakhani (southern), because in the sixteenth century Urdu literature, inspired by Sufi notions, developed in the courts of Golconda and Bijapur rulers in the Deccan. Aurangabad became the centre of Urdu literary activities in the late-seventeenth century and, with the migration of scholars from Delhi in the eighteenth century, Lucknow too became an important centre of Sufi culture.

The multicultural and pluralist culture of India, which became a catalyst for the interaction between the traditional and modern music of today, may be credited to a number of male and female Bhakti saints – Mahavira, Kabir, Chisti, Nanak, and Mirabai, among others – poets, and musicians from all walks of life and religions. With the advent of Vedanta (end of the Vedas), also called the Upanishads, during the 10th-11th centuries, the intellectual basis for the Bhakti (devotion) movement was mainly provided by the great Hindu theologian and philosopher, Ramanuja. Several, often contradictory, schools of thought arose, representing an unprecedented diversity in beliefs spanning monotheism, polytheism, and atheism. In the Nyaya-Sutras, the overwhelming focus is on rational and scientific thinking and analysis that emphasizes human understanding as natural phenomena and physical processes occurring in nature.

- Madanjeet Singh

 

 

June 23, 2008

Eboo Patel: Who Sings for Islam? - On Faith at washingtonpost.com

 

 

June 23, 2008

The acoustic Sufi music concert was dedicated to the lawyer’s movement in Pakistan, the restoration of the Supreme Court judges, and the independence of the judiciary. It was yet another landmark in support of Pakistan's civil society, media, students, and rights activists who have heroically protested against the government’s illegal action in imposing emergency in Pakistan.

Like the western rock stars, Sting, George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Bono, and Bob Geldof, among others, who are supporting worthy campaigns – against poverty, disease, vanishing rainforests – Junoon music is an antidote against religious extremism and terrorism. Salman Ahmad was designated a UN Special Representative for HIV Aids.

Junoon’s collaborative concerts include a piece composed by Yoshikazu Fukumora for the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, titled ‘Tribute to Hong Kong’; and duets with guitarist Charley Byrd, violinist Igor Frolov, soprano Glenda Simpson, guitarist Barry Mason, and cellist Matthew Barley. He has been a Visiting Professor at the universities of Yorkshire, Washington, North Eastern, and New Mexico.

Junoon imparts a thrilling passion to its live performances, combining a blend of powerful arena rock with the spiritual tranquility of Sufi poetry. Founded in 1990 by guitarist-songwriter-medical doctor Salman Ahmad, the band took both Pakistan and India by storm in 1998 with the hit single ‘Sayonee’. It was a part of the band’s tremendously successful fourth studio album ‘Azadi’ (Freedom). The band’s hybrid Sufi music is blended with some of the world’s most innovative rock’n’ roll tunes and carries a powerful message of peace and tolerance by sharing stages with bands such as Oasis and Pearl Jam.

- Madanjeet Singh

 

 

April 15, 2008

Like the Sufi music patronized by Khwaja  Moinuddin Chist who founded the Chistiyya order in Ajmer, Junoon invokes the  necessary ideological support to Salman’s musical mission to bring about  emotional integration of the people worldwide.

Chisti’s teachings emphasized tolerance and respect for religious differences. He interpreted religions and customs in terms of human service and exhorted his disciples “to develop river-like generosity, sun-like affection and earth-like hospitality.”

Salman Ahmad does not subscribe to the notion of “art for art’s sake.” The Junoon group recently performed at the prestigious Nobel Ceremony in Oslo, in honour of the laureates of this year's Nobel Peace Prize, Al Gore, former US Vice President and Rajendra Pachauri, chairman of the UN international climate panel.

- Madanjeet Singh

 

 

March 25, 2008

MUSIC HAS NO RELIGION
“Music has no religion – like  water, air and fire – and it connects the world, rather than divide,”  declared Salman Ahmad, founder of the Sufi-rock band of Pakistani musicians.  He denounced the culture of intolerance and asserted that his music has been  enriched because he worked with renowned musicians throughout the world. A  devotee of the Islamic mystical tradition of Sufism, Salman believes in  humanity’s oneness with the divine, and has furthered that vision in his  lyrics by making the Junoon band a voice for peace and international  understanding.

- Madanjeet Singh

 

 

October 23, 2006

SUFI IS THE NEW BUZZWORD

The war on terrorism has changed many things and we may never go back to  how things were. Our children won't even know that there was a time family and  friends could walk with you to the gate of the airplane. Airports were  actually fun places, now they are like police states. At New York's Grand  Central Station one could get dropped off right in front of the station door;  now train stations and airports all have ugly concrete pillars in the front,  and cars are not allowed. Sometimes even people are not allowed. What really  makes me laugh is the hair salon I visit when I am in NEW YORK. They actually  have to see my license to let me in the building. In fact in most if not all  buildings in New York, you can no longer just walk in to check out the lobby,  you have to show an ID card and explain why you need to be in that  building.

As the world is changing, even abstract items are up for reevaluation --  among them, the word SUFI. All of a sudden the government of PAKISTAN and  the government of UK are using the word to stress moderation in religion, to  be exact the Muslim religion. SUFI is now synonymous with  moderate.

I have always thought of SUFISM as a state-of-mind. I have always  thought that SUFISM does not belong to any one religion; in fact it is  interesting to see how different countries interpret the word SUFI. In  PAKISTAN and INDIA the word SUFI right away brings up the SUFI SAINTS, and  then their poetry and mysticism. In TURKEY people will say whirling dervishes  is what it's all about. IRAN has its own interpretation. Regardless of  interpretation, SUFISM boils down to being good and nobel --  good to mankind and good to mother earth. A Sufi can whirl and get lost in  spirituality, sing gospels to soothe their soul, or simply be  positive in their daily work. SUFISM is fulfilled by whatever one  does which either produces goodness or creates goodness.

We welcome the new SUFIS to our midst, and we will go on spreading good  karma, and hope the rest of the world does the same.

 

 

September 14, 2006

NO MORE.
September eleven was a day full of sad images and touching moments.
Many a times watching the images on TV one was moved to tears. Brave people like some of the 9/11 widows saying they actually took the money the government gave them when their husbands died in the twin towers to widows in Afghanistan. They felt those women deserved to be helped more than they did. Talk about selfless love for humanity. I can't imagine a bigger Sufi gesture than not thinking of your own grief but helping someone else who is powerless and destitute with no hope of ever recovering.

I salute the ladies who traveled to Afghanistan and personally handed the funds to the widows in Afghanistan. BRAVO LADIES.

I hope that all good people send good karma around the world and our combined good will creates the kind of goodwill that we never have another event like 9/11 again.
NO MORE.

 

April 21, 2006

MRS. PARVEEN AHMAD once a year invites the gospel singers from the DATA GUNJ BAKSH SHRINE to an evening of spiritual Sufi hymn singing. This year the date coincided with my visit to LAHORE.

Sitting under the open sky of LAHORE, unfortunately, no stars were visible. Pollution has taken over the air of the whole city; but the twinkling lights and beautiful canvas tent made up for the missing stars. Some of us sat in chairs while others choose to sit on the carpet in front of the stage. The program started with praise to God, and then moved to inspirational hymns. Some ladies were moved to tears. The highly emotional gathering ended with a group prayer. Everyone was invited to say their special request prayer loudly so all could participate in asking for that prayer.

Evenings like this are a nightly occurrence at some of the SUFI SAINT SHRINES all over PAKISTAN and INDIA. Some shrines have a weekly session. The prayer is known as DUA. People like to participate in group prayer because they feel the more voices requesting, the stronger, the quicker the prayer may be answered.

SUFI SAINTS always preached group activity. We hope you have a group or find a group that you feel comfortable with. Here's to our friends.

- Seeme Gull Khan

 

April 12, 2006

GOING TO THE LAND OF SUFI SAINTS.

I am going to the city of sufi saints, LAHORE, PAKISTAN. DATA SAHIB whose one thousand birth anniversary was JUST celebrated brought his sufi teachings to this ancient city. In fact LAHORE is sometimes referred to as DATA'S NAGRI, meaning the land of DATA. DATA SAHIB was a true sufi saint preaching tolerance of all religions; thus, his shrine is favored by people of all religions whether they be Christians, Muslims, Hindus, and Sikhs. It's the place to go ask for prayers that are almost miracles, if they get fulfilled. Everyday the shrine is full of people who say their prayer was fulfilled. They are the true believers who visit the shrine month after month, and year after year.

My mother always took us there before we left on a trip to pray for our safety. Afterwards, we came back to give thanks. Walking on the cold marble slab floors was an experience one never forgot, especially in the winter. Then as one approached the windows of the mausoleum, the white marble carved grills revealed multicolored threads tied in little knots. It seemed like some folk artist had created a sculpture from silk threads. Actually, each thread represented a prayer that had been said and was waiting to be fulfilled. Perhaps so many prayers, so close to each other, fused to create their own strength to make themselves happen. As tradition goes when your prayer is fulfilled, you go untie a string. Most likely it will not be the original one you tied, since among the many threads it would be impossible to find yours. Yet, as you open one someone else tied, eventually someone will find yours to untie.

Opening a knot on a string creates so many emotions including strength, the feeling of being blessed, and ultimately empowerment all stemming from the fact a prayer was fulfilled. The truth is that tying and opening knots are symbolically the sufi way of saying, if you believe in something, you can make it happen. As you tie the knot, whatever you are asking for becomes your personal resolve, your commitment to making what you want come true.

DATA GUNJ BAKSH, a sufi saint of sufi saints, a man whose karma is still alive generation after generation providing comfort and blessings. Imagine the strength of this saint that his light shines through a thousand years, and is still going strong. DATA DURBAR will always be waiting for us in LAHORE. Some will go there to pray, others to find peace and comfort.

I hope you will find a DATA DURBAR in yourself and learn to give yourself the gift of peace.

BEST WISHES FROM LAHORE,
city of DATA GUNJ BAKSH, SAINT OF SAINTS.

- Seeme Gull Khan

 

April 3, 2006

Salman Ahmad - Al-Vida Lyric Translation

AL-VIDA, means good bye in URDU. AL-VIDA is a sweet song that touches my heart and brings tears to my eyes. SALMAN has sung it beautifully, and the video is powerful also. AL-VIDA is the true story of a strong woman, SHUKRIYA GULL. She contracted HIV/AIDS from her husband; and then, had to not only suffer through the loss of his life, but also deal with her health issues as well as suffer the retribution of family and friends. She was treated as an un-touchable and left to raise her two children in isloation.This woman after suffering the pain and anxiety of all that had happened to her decided to speak up for those women who may suffer the same fate, but not be able to stand up for their rights. She became an activist and started a non-profit to help educate people about HIV/AIDS, including how not to contract it and how to deal with it.

In this song the partner who is dying as a result of HIV/AIDS says to the surviving partner, thank you. Thank you for taking care of me. Thank you for letting me go in peace. Here are the exact lyrics translated in English:

"How should, or how can I tell this secret to you. (RAZZ means SECRET.)

My heart is --------?

May you stay the same after I have passed away.

May my memories give comfort and peace to you.

AL VIDA, AL-VIDA, AL-VIDA.

You gave me support and comfort, my friend, thank you.

AL-VIDA."

This is a powerful message, even though I am dying of a disease that has still has a social stigma attached to it, I am hoping that my memories give you peace and comfort. In a way saying look towards the positive. Look towards the bright side. Think happy thoughts and memories.That is the best way to remember, honor, and love me.

Which is exactly what SHUKRIYA GULL did. She did not mar the memories of her husband with pain or unhappiness. She took the path of recovery, enlightenment, and is now trying to help people understand this disease better. To extrapolate from the Robert Frost poem, she has taken the road less traveled, and that has made all the difference.

BE WELL.

BE HAPPY.

LOVE ALL THE LIVING.

- Seeme Gull Khan

 

February 10, 2006
-hey Junoonis, welcome to isufirock.com!

This is the beginning of a music site with passion, diversity and a site that will ALWAYS only provide kickass music!

isufirock's first release is going to be Infiniti so get all your i-pods ready to download

the music of love,joy and ecstasy.

peace out!

salman

 

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