Muslims Defend the Sacred – Solidarity with #StandingRock

The struggle of the Standing Rock Sioux & the incredible unity on display right now by Native American tribes from across the land is inspiring the world. American Muslim communities stand with you for the sacred, for the water, for the Earth, and for human dignity. I recommend reading this complete article. – Susan Sacirbey

As a footnote, a most relevant quote by Edward Abbey: “No, wilderness is not a luxury, but a necessity of the human spirit, and as vital to our lives as water and good bread. A civilization which destroys what little remains of the wild, the spare, the original, is cutting itself off from its origins and betraying the principle of civilization itself.”

https://mpowerchange.org/blog/post/muslims-defend-the-sacred-solidarity-with-standing-rock-1

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Swamp Queen with a Crown for a Sustainable Mission

 

From Diplomat Artist Buzz – On International Women’s Day, a Florida queen with a green mission — More —

http://diplomatartist.com/swamp-queen-with-a-crown-for-a-sustainable-mission/

Water, Water Everywhere but Not a Safe Drop to Drink

Water, Water Everywhere but Not a Safe Drop to Drink

From Diplomat Artist Buzz — Clean water & sanitation are human rights — More —

http://diplomatartist.com/water-water-everywhere-but-not-a-safe-drop-to-drink/

World Bank & Sesame Street #Muppets join for Health

Diplomat Artist Buzz on Sesame Street’s newest Global Health Ambassador
http://diplomatartist.com/world-bank-sesame-street-muppets-join-for-health/

World Water Week

Clean water and sanitation are essential to maintaining health, business, and security between nations. Ending open defecation will reduce diarrhoea & enhance safety for women & girls who risk sexual assault when venturing to isolated places for basic needs.

Water Cooperation Essential for Sustainable Development

According to UNICEF: Every day, around the world, nearly 2,000 children under age five die from diseases directly linked to contaminated water, a lack of sanitation or poor hygiene. In war-torn countries like Syria, the situation is most critical for refugees.

Bridge Over Troubled Water, By Susan Sacirbey

Music represents the great bridge over cultural and ethnic diversity and is the conduit for harmonizing and enriching humanity’s wellbeing. It seems appropriate and coincidental that today, 22 March “World Water Day”, that the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) bestowed a Goodwill Ambassadorship on Tan Dun, a renowned Chinese composer. Also today, the head of UNESCO noted that 90 per cent of the world’s population lives in countries that must share water resources with their neighbours.

 

Tan, born in Hunan Province in 1957, is a blend of musical enrichment. At an early age he was influenced by Shaman rituals and ceremonies, which incorporated organic objects like rocks and water. Peasants provided the knowledge of traditional Chinese string instruments. Tan received classical training at the Central Conservatory of Music and performed at the Beijing Opera Orchestra on the viola. As an ‘80’s doctoral student at Columbia University in New York City, he discovered experimental musicians: Philip Glass, John Cage, Meredith Monk, and Steve Reich.

 

Tan’s compositions also utilize non-traditional, organic instruments like amplified bowls of water in lieu of percussion instruments. As part of his multi-media repertoire, he includes orchestras, video, and the audience. However, Tan is probably best known for his movie scores in “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,”

 

Music, like water, is a precious resource. It must be shared, embraced, and sustained for all global citizens.  Congratulations, Tan Dun, for being a bridge over troubled water.

 

UN News Centre Source

 

UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova said Mr. Tan was chosen because of his “efforts to promote intercultural dialogue through music, consciousness of the scarcity of natural resources such as water, and the diversity of languages,” as well as for his dedication to the ideals and aims of the UN.

Mr. Tan is known for his creative repertoire, which spans the boundaries of classical music, multimedia performance, and Eastern and Western traditions. He is most widely known for his scores for the movies ‘Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon’ and ‘Hero.’

His music has been played throughout the world by leading orchestras, opera houses, international festivals, and on radio and television. Mr. Tan has also conducted renowned orchestras, including the London Symphony Orchestra, the New York Philharmonic, and the Berliner Philharmoniker.

As a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador, Mr. Tan will join the ranks of distinguished personalities who use their name and fame to spread the ideals of the agency, such as Nobel Peace Prize laureate Nelson Mandela of South Africa, United States jazz musician Herbie Hancock and Cuban ballerina and choreographer Alicia Alonso.

 

 

 

By, Susan Sacirbey

 

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PHOTO (Tan Dun) Credit: culturalexchange-cn.nl