Date: May 28th 2008

May 27, Damascus, Syria
After traveling through the Southern, Western, Northern and Central parts of Syria it has become clear that all roads lead to Damascus. It is here that with the help of our new Project Director for Syria, Fadhil M Saleh, we have put together a financial structure for moving money donated in the USA into the hands of Iraqi refugee music teachers who can teach the ancient forms of music to young Iraqi refugee children living in exile here in Syria. Fadhil is himself an Iraqi refugee and a lover of the old Iraqi music styles.

We have also met with employees of the United Nations Refugee Agency in Damascus and they have put us in contact with those who administer classroom spaces and other facilities which are needed. Thanks to donations which have already been received we have enough money to begin on a small scale.

We are working to accomplish goals which are exact opposite of war. The more we work on setting up this project the more we realize what a perfect vehicle it is for Americans who have felt anguish about the war to give something back to Iraqi people.

We are literally able to say, "We find your way of living beautiful, artful and worthy of admiration and support. We are concerned that the disruptions caused by the war have endangered the ancient civilizations of Mesopotamia of which music is such a major part. This is a way in which we can make a difference by contributing to the musical education of your children."

And of course this leads to employment for Iraqi musicians who were accustomed to being valued in highly respected musical institutes in Baghdad and other parts of Iraq before the current disintegration of social structures took place.

And of course members of fundamentalist groups won't be involved because they don't see popular music as a legitimate part of their world. If they open their minds and want to be included then so much the better. Involving one's heart mind and soul with the ancient spirit of this music leads to the spiritual love affairs Sufi poets such as Rumi have written so eloquently about.

Thanks and More Soon, Cameron
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Cameron and Kristina:
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