Tonight I had the pleasure of performing with Sufis, singers and musicians at WAKE in Beirut. WAKE is a non-profit organization established in memory of Mohammad Dimashkieh (1988-2011), who passed away in a tragic car accident in Beirut on 14 January 2011. At the time, he was a student finishing his senior year at the American University of Beirut.
WAKE is committed to fostering both tolerance and appreciation for the rich diversity of religions in Lebanon and beyond. In addition to providing an open space for the sharing of a number of different spiritual traditions, WAKE also celebrates artistic achievements and expression within the various religions of the world. WAKE regularly offers courses to the public on Sufism, philosophy, and comparative religion.
I have long admired the contributions of WAKE to the cultural, spiritual and artistic landscape of Beirut, and I’m really grateful that I had the opportunity to contribute in some small way. In a world riddled with so much tension and conflict, it’s nice to recognize the individuals and organizations striving to bring together people from different backgrounds to find common ground–while celebrating our differences at the same time…
