A letter to Junoon fans from U2 fans

U2zootope · Junoon Joined: 06 Feb 2006 Posts: 39

Hello Junoon fans! We are U2 fans writing to say hello and to introduce ourselves… We are the Zootopes! (from the name of our forum "Zootopia"). Your man Salman came to our attention after one of our members found an article about him titled "The Bono of the Muslim World" link: (www.beliefnet.com/story/183/story_18350_1.html)

A few among us immediately did some research to find out who this man was (could there really be another Bono-like rocker in the world??? we asked), and we were delighted to find out that not only does Salman have much in common with OUR favorite enlightened rock star, but apparently Bono is also one of Salman's fans!! (Someone found the fan letter Bono had written to him):

Salman,

Just wanted to write you a quick note to say how much we here in the rest of the musical world appreciate what you are doing in your own region for peace. Peace is not an abstract ideal; it’s a concrete thing, brought about by many compromises. Compromise is a word we should cherish. We should embody it, sing it, run it up the flagpoles, chase down the road after it. It’s a psychological state as important as statehood itself. You’re a great man.

Your fan,
Bono

This did not surprise us at all. Junoon's roots in mysticism, Salman's commitment to social justice, and the transcendent guitar notes of the music, reminded us of our great musical love, U2, and turned a few of us into fans as well.

Naturally we immediately asked ourselves…how can we get these two men together on a stage??? So… we are writing to find out whether you guys have any ideas on how to make that happen??

We actually have in mind something even larger…

A few of us have an idea that the world would benefit from a large music/media event similar to the Live 8 and Live Aid events that were held to raise awareness of poverty in Africa….maybe some of you know of these? We think it is time for an equally large (if not larger) event to be held which addresses not just African issues but the larger global issues of human rights, the rights to liberty, to tolerance, to development and to cross-cultural understanding for ALL peoples.

So we are looking around to find out who are the largest musical stars in each major language group who (like Salman and Bono) are "artists with a conscience" and who have large followings. We have an idea that if we could find these talents and get them and their fan bases together, we might be able to make an impact on the current state of world affairs, which, as I am sure everyone is noticing, seems to be deteriorating on a daily basis. We think that the artists and their fans who have shown a commitment to speaking out on these issues which affect all of humanity, need to get together and speak on a large scale. But we would be happy if we could start by just getting Junoon and U2 in the same place at the same time! As one of the Zootopes said, "these two could really break some barriers together!" Many of us agree.

So, if you have ideas and would like to contact us back or want to just say hello, you are welcomed to our forum, U2.com. Click on Zootopia at the top of the page. It would be great to hook up!

Best wishes,
The fans at the Zoo

RebelliousSpirit · Parvaaz Joined: 02 Jul 2004 Posts: 2051 Location: UAE

Wow..that is an excellent idea.
Would be Awesome if something such as this did materialize
U need to get in touch with the mods coz they'd probably be more helpful in this situation...prolly cud get Salman Ahmed to say sumthin abt this as well.
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SinnerMan · Junoon Joined: 13 Jul 2004 Posts: 96 Location: Dubai

ejactly! this is some awesome news man, spock and zerocool, start ur engines;) Junoonis got some work to do! best of luck!
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Zootopian2 · Junoon Joined: 06 Feb 2006 Posts: 10 Location: us

Hey everyone,

More greetings from U2's Zootopia. I am interested in learning more about Junoon's music. For someone who's never heard their work before- what album(s) would you recommend I look for? There is a music store where I live that has a great international section. I plan to go look for them there sometime in the next week or two.

I'm also here to assist this Junoon-U2 -- expanded LiveAid//Live8 idea in whatever way I can... can we expect the moderators to see this discussion or do we need to send them a private message to bring it to their attention?

Thanks!

Jay

RebelliousSpirit · Parvaaz Joined: 02 Jul 2004 Posts: 2051 Location: UAE

The mods will definately check this message by today itself.
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The death of democracy is not likely to be an assassination from ambush. It will be a slow extinction from apathy, indifference, and undernourishment - Robert M. Hutchins

Zootopian2 · Junoon Joined: 06 Feb 2006 Posts: 10 Location: us

Thanks RS.

BTW, I am going to start a new thread about Junoon music recommendations- I don't want to distract from the original point of this thread.

Spock · Posted: Mon Feb 06, 2006 7:32 am Post subject:

Greetings!

Firstly, let me welcome you to our forums! U2 has been Junoon's biggest inpsiration, and you will find that most Junoonis here, including myself are die hard U2 fans too. Your ideas of a fruitful collaboration between U2 and bands like Junoon, are certainly needed to appease the tyrannies, and difficulties of the world today, and I feel that the fanbase would play a big role in building the bridges for such a unique collaboration. Junoon was the first band to be invited to play at the UN General Assembly Hall, and has always been in a U2 bangwagon to make the world a better place. They were also instrumental in bringing together Pakistan and India, two bitter nuclear rivals, at a time when the armed rivalry was soaring at its peak.

I am also moving this thread to the 'bagh-e-Junoon' sub-forum, since that is more suited to topics encompassing the band, and the band members frequent that forum too. Once again, welcome to our forums and lets hope we bring about a positive outcome of what you have suggested.
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U2zootope · Junoon Joined: 06 Feb 2006 Posts: 39

We are so excited to get a response from you guys! I am going to take Spock's post back to the U2 site and post it under a thread in the General Forum called "Welcome Junoon Fans!", so if you want to come over, you can click there (or start your own thread). Looking forward to more exchange!

illusions01 · Talaash Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Posts: 426

very very cool - U2's an amzing band, and i do hope something comes out of this. =)

U2zootope · Junoon Joined: 06 Feb 2006 Posts: 39

Hey Spock and friends-- Hi there!

Sorry no one was around when you came by, Spock. I am actually swamped with work on Mondays and Tuesdays and don't get to spend much time chatting on those days. I was just on the site to drop a note to the mod about this idea (do you think your mods know yet, or do we need to send them somthing directly??) and saw your post from a few hours ago so responded there and am essentially copying the response here.

I am so glad you are around and hopefully are finding people to chat with. On Wednesday, I am going to spend some time at your forum.

These "Cartoon Riots" as I have seen them refered to in a press, are generating some talk around the U2 site. Is there much being said about them at the junoon forum? I do want to get over here and see what is going on. There is work to be done!! (as soon as I finish my real job!)

Thanks again for coming, Spock...oh, and look for Sammi over there- she's great! Dr. Zooeus too! / Ciao! U2Zootope

rizwan · Posted: Mon Feb 06, 2006 11:40 pm Post subject:

Hello and welcome all Zootopes! on planet Junoon. I'm really glad to see Zootopes! getting interested in Junoon just like a lot of us Junoonis are die hard fan of U2. I really like the ideas you've shared with us about having U2 and Junoon together and let's see the best we can do for it.

About all that "Cartoon Riots", yes there's a lot of going on about that in our forums. Just check our Junoon Lobby section.
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Zootopian2 · Junoon Joined: 06 Feb 2006 Posts: 10 Location: us

hey Rizwan,

thanks for the welcome. what are your favorite U2 songs and//or albums?

I'd have to say Achtung Baby, War, htdaab, atyclb, and of course the Joshua Tree...

favorite songs- it's tough to narrow down but

One
Stay
Where the Streets Have No Name
With or Without You
City of Blinding Lights
40
Yahweh
Gloria
Mysterious Ways
Until the End of the World
New Year's Day
Sunday Bloody Sunday
Please
Ultraviolet
Miss Sarajevo
Electric Co.
Pride (In the Name of Love)
MLK
The Unforgettable Fire
All I Want is You
Walk On
In a Little While
Original of the Species
One Tree Hill
In God's Country
Heartland

these top my list (short list, right, haha)

sweetpac · Inquilab Joined: 29 Mar 2005 Posts: 721

Hey welcome to the Junoon world U2 fans!
Most of us Junoonis are already U2 fans so thats something we have in common!

Spock...you should definately hook them up with Salman performing 'With or without you' I have a sound check version from an event in Toronto which is really good...but Im sure you have something better!
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rani · Posted: Tue Feb 07, 2006 2:44 pm Post subject:

wow, this can lead to something really great! m big U2/junoon fan. I'd have to say that fellow U2 fan's shud hear Parvaaz and Inquilaab. These are in my opinion, the 2 albums which you would really appreciate in terms of their lyrics ( if we can get translations ) and not to mention some rockin guitar solo's.
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adnan · Ishq Joined: 03 Aug 2005 Posts: 2300 Location: VA