U.S. Embassy honours Daniel Pearl through musical concert

December 3^rd 2006: A music and arts festival in memory of slain American journalist Daniel Pearl was held at Prince Edward High School in Harare on December 3rd. Over 20 musical groups and artists provided entertainment throughout the day. The event, in its second year in Harare, was organized in cooperation with the Public Affairs Section under the theme “celebrating our diversity.” 

“It is through (Daniel) Pearl’s inspiration that we are gathered here today as a way of expressing harmony and strong belief that human beings who believe in the value of life need to get together and help each other in order to solve the problems and challenges we face in today’s world”, said guest speaker Professor Fed Zindi. 

Professor Zindi, who also heads the Zimbabwe College of Music, emphasized the power of music in eliminating problems affecting the African continent.

“Pearl believed that cultural differences can be bridged through music and that music is a language that knows no boundaries. He was a great fan of Jazz, classical, folk and blues music”, said Professor Zindi. 

Harmony for Humanity is the name given to concerts celebrating Pearl’s life and legacy by the Daniel Pearl Foundation. Inspired by his life, the festival uses the universal language of music and art to diminish hatred, instill respect for differences and inspire ‘harmony’ for humanity. Pearl believed music could bridge the differences between people. In the spirit of his love of music and commitment to dialogue, the Daniel Pearl Foundation launched the first Daniel Pearl World Music Day on October 10, 2002, which would have been the journalist’s 39th birthday.

Pearl was a correspondent of the Wall Street Journal, America’s largest financial and business newspaper. He was kidnapped on January 23rd, 2002 on his way to an interview with a so called terrorist leader in Karachi, Pakistan. Pleas for his release were made by his editor and his wife, who was pregnant with their son Adam. After the terrorist’s demands were not met, Daniel was decapitated nine days after his capture ###