President Bush Salutes Daniel Pearl World Music Days For Promoting Tolerance, Understanding and Respect

President Bush Salutes Daniel Pearl World Music Days For Promoting Tolerance, Understanding and Respect

More than 400 Concerts Scheduled in 35 Countries

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 10 /PRNewswire/ -- The Daniel Pearl Foundation today announced that it has received a Presidential Message from President George Bush extending his appreciation to "all those involved in Daniel Pearl World Music days for promoting the values of tolerance, understanding, and respect." His words of appreciation were expressed in a Presidential Message sent to Judea and Ruth Pearl, Danny Pearl's parents. In his Message the President added that "[S]ince its establishment in 2002, this event has been an opportunity to pay tribute to the memory of Daniel Pearl, a man dedicated to the search for truth. These concerts are a forum for individuals around the world to come together and celebrate the diverse traditions and unifying power of music."

Judea Pearl, President of the Daniel Pearl Foundation, stated, "We are honored that President Bush has officially recognized the importance of Daniel Pearl World Music Days as a vehicle for uniting people in our shared humanity. Danny believed in the power of music to tear down walls and build bridges among all people, and that is what World Music Days is all about." As of today, over 400 concerts in 35 countries - from Pakistan to Montenegro, from Turkey to the People's Republic of China, Israel, and South Africa - have registered their participation in World Music Days.

Established in 2002 to commemorate the October 10 birthday of Daniel Pearl, the Wall Street Journal reporter and musician murdered by terrorists in Pakistan, World Music Day tributes this year are scheduled at a variety of prominent venues including the Red Violin Festival in Wales; the Melbourne International Arts Festival; the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival in San Francisco; the Savannah Jazz Festival; Berlin's Ballhaus Naunyn Cultural Center; the Atlanta and Baltimore Symphony Orchestras; Bilkent University in Ankara; and the Singapore Sun Festival. Celebrated international favorites also are dedicating upcoming performances including World Music Days Honorary Committee members Sir Elton John, Herbie Hancock, Mark O'Connor, Steve Reich, Theodore Bikel, Itzhak Perlman, Peru's Tania Libertad, Pakistan's Salman Ahmad, and India's Ravi Shankar, with many more global artists expected to register throughout October. To participate, musicians make a brief statement from the stage in recognition of the power of music to promote cross-cultural understanding.

"Danny was a talented musician who used his love of music to connect with people wherever he traveled," said his mother Ruth Pearl. "It is a tribute to his life work of connecting people through words and music that World Music Days brings together a broad spectrum of celebrated classical artists such as pianist Andre Watts and the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra with world beat masters, blues, rock, bluegrass and jazz musicians plus numerous children's groups."

To listen to the World Music Days "Harmony for Humanity eStage", a streaming internet radio station, visit www.danielpearlmusicdays.org and click on "About eStage". Broadcast throughout the entire month of October, eStage offers music by members of the World Music Days Honorary Committee, winners of the annual Daniel Pearl Memorial Violin, Danny himself playing with various bands, past World Music Days performances, original compositions and more. The eStage online gallery also offers poems, articles and photographs inspired by the legacy of Daniel Pearl.

To register a live performance as part of Daniel Pearl World Music Days 2007, or to learn more about the Harmony for Humanity eStage visit www.danielpearlmusicdays.org.

The Daniel Pearl Foundation works domestically and internationally to promote cross-cultural understanding, to counter cultural and religious hatred, to encourage responsible and creative journalism, and to unite and enrich people through music. For more information please visit www.danielpearl.org.

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: Daniel Pearl Foundation

CONTACT: Danielle Newman of Sitrick and Company, +1-212-573-6100,
media@danielpearl.org

Web site: http://www.danielpearl.org/
http://www.danielpearlmusicdays.org/

---

Profile: International Entertainment