Interfaith Unity Newsletter

SPIRIT OF THE EAST

     Some 200 people in Mississuaga experienced a heart-opening, soul-stirring evening of sacred music and chant from South East Asia. It was organized and poetically narrated by Raheel Reza, a full time "bridge between gaps" as an interfaith advocate, writer, public speaker, journalist and film maker www.raheelraza.com , with Nomans|Land productions, www.nomans-land.net

     We had the passionate singing of Azalea Ray of Hindu Bhajans, backed up by tabla drums, keyboard, guitars and woodwinds. Onkar Singh gave us Sikh Shabads with a remarkably smooth voice and Munni and Afzal Subhani chanted Sufi Qawwalis of great beauty -- both backed up by the remarkably nimble fingers of Jasvinder Hunjan on tablas.

    They all remarked on how inspired they were at the unity exhibited by playing together the sacred expressions from different traditions, all praising the same One Being. We in the the audience were carried away to new heights, often joined in clapping and even chanting with the musicians.

    Raheel said at the end that we should take this kind of event all the way to the Skydome, and some of us have already began planning toward a full day Sacred Music festival next year.

Review by Leslie Gabriel Mezei leslie@barberry.ca

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