Hundreds of music fans and diplomats from around the world rose in prayer for Pakistan's stability and welfare of its conflict-affected people of Swat region at the end of a thrilling concert of songs in the U. N. General Assembly hall on Saturday night.
The well-managed concert, sponsored by the Pakistan Mission to the United Nations, was arranged by Salman Ahmad, founder of Pakistan's famed rock group Junoon and a U. N. Goodwill Ambassador. Well-known international singers performed in the three-hour event in the gold-and-blue hall, which was packed-to-capacity. Their songs dealt with themes of peace, non-violence and community spirit.
Leading the prayers for Pakistan was Samina Ahmad, Salman's wife and the Master of Ceremonies. With her voice breaking with emotion, she spoke about the dire needs of the displaced people in Pakistan's north-west and urged the people, who braved inclement weather to watch the "Concert for Pakistan", to help them.
In between the performances, some prominent figures like Nobel Laureate R. K. Pachauri and singer Sting made fervent calls for unity to defeat the terrorists who kill innocent people. They called for helping Pakistan deal with the threat posed by al Qaeda and Taliban extremists. The concert opened with Pakistan's national anthem, which was played by the Salman-led Junoon band.
Slogans of "Pakistan Zindabad" rang out in the spacious hall. Salman sang some of the Junoon's popular Sufi songs as people clapped, tapped and danced.