Gratitude from Salman for Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt

zerocool · Last edited by zerocool on Mon Jun 29, 2009 6:26 am; edited 1 time in total

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ZINIA SEN
Times News Network

Salman Ahmad is touched by Brangelina’s million-dollar gesture and hopes that AR Rahman would respond positively to his request of performing at the UN concert.

Musician and UN Good will Ambassador Salman Ahmad was in for a surprise when his appeal to raise funds for the three million Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Pakistan was met with a $1million response by Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt. Driven by the Junoon to work for his country, the musician is all set to put together a UN concert by roping in Hollywood, popular musicians across the globe, and yes, the double Oscar winner, AR Rahman as well. Salman, who is hoping for a positive response from the wizard of Indian music, tells CT that making his presence felt at the UN General Assembly hall will only make Rahman a bigger star.

1) How are you going about addressing the problem of refugees escaping because of the ongoing war between the Pakistan army and Taliban in Swat Valley (northwest Pakistan)?
I have been working 24x7to reach out to my friends and colleagues in the film and music business, including affluent Pakistanis and Americans in order to bring relief to the suffering three million IDPs in Northern Pakistan.

2) What made you seek help from Angelina Jolie?
Humanitarians and renowned Hollywood producers, Jeff Skoll (Syriana, An Inconvenient Truth, Kite Runner) and Lawrence Bender (Pulp Fiction, An Inconvenient Truth), who happen to be my close friends, helped me get in touch with Angelina. In today’s world, I strongly believe that a movie star or a celebrity has to go beyond just looking after his/her pockets and super star status. Angelina has a track record of doing humanitarian work. We’re both UN Good will Ambassadors and her extensive work in Pakistan through UNHCR shows that she’s been a great friend of my country during difficult times. I wrote a letter to her about the crisis in Pakistan and I’m grateful that she and Brad Pitt have responded so promptly and generously.

3) Now that Angelina has donated $1 million, how do you think the money should be spent?
United Nation agencies like UNHCR are doing a great job in providing shelter, food, medicine and supplies to the IDP families in such a dangerous terrain, where the fear of Taliban and al-Qaeda is looming large. UN secretary general, Ban Ki-moon, has appealed for $543 million as immediate relief for the IDPs. So there’s a lot more that needs to be done to stabilise the region and win the battle against extremism and militancy.

4) You are also trying to put together a UN concert soon, bringing together Hollywood and music stars...
My next UN musical mission is to put together a multi-artiste concert at the UN general assembly. My close friends, Deepak Chopra and Melissa Etheridge, as well as other superstars have responded to my appeal. Lawrence Bender and the UN’s director of outreach, Eric Falt are working to help me put this endeavour together.

5) You have already written to AR Rahman...
Yes, I think AR Rahman’s presence alongside Deepak Chopra’s would show the power of arts and culture and Indo-Pak collaboration. I hope Rahman answers positively to my appeal, the way Deepak Chopra has.

6) How big a draw would Rahman be after the double Oscars this year?
As a fellow South Asian artiste, I’m extremely proud of Rahman and I wish him infinite success in his career. He would be a star attraction anywhere in the world, but his presence at the UN general assembly hall will make him an even bigger star.

7) [b]How soon will the concert happen?[/b]
The planning is underway. I’m hoping for the

best.zinia.sen@timesgroup.com
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Hai Jazba Junoon to himmat na haar~~Justajoo jo karay woh chooaey aasmaan~~Mehnat apni ho gee pehchaan kabhi na bholo~~Sab ki nazron main Pakistan