EventsNewsOCFA man plays the guitar

Hosted by The Oxford Foundation, which aims to promote religious harmony, the music concert on Thursday 8th October will showcase a classical ensemble made up of singers and musicians of Jewish, Christian and Muslim heritage working together.

Guitarist and composer Mohammed Nazam founded the new world/jazz/classical ensemble Berakah in summer 2005. Through concerts both big and small, Berakah spreads its message of peace through its music and coming together of many cultures. This harmony will be on display this Thursday at St Hilda’s College in Oxford, when the ensemble will play a concert in aid of Her Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee Legacy Fund, a named fund hosted by Oxfordshire Community Foundation.

The concert is the latest event in the United for Peace initiative, championed by OCF’s fundholder Imam Monawar Hussain DL. Community leader Monawar, who can be heard regularly speaking on Radio 4’s Prayer for the Day, wants to unite communities to affirm the values of love, compassion, respect and understanding, as opposed to the narrative of violence, division and hatred advocated by violent extremists. His Unity through Music concert is a unique event that will draw communities from across Oxfordshire together through the universal language of music.

Audience members can expect classical arrangements, soulful vocals and folk and world music influences. Previews are available on the Berakah Project website. The concert will take place in the Edward Boyle auditorium, Jacqueline Du Pré Music Building, Saint Hilda’s College, Cowley Place, Oxford OX4 1DY, from 6.30 to 9.30pm. See the link below for tickets.

Monawar’s fund with OCF supports vulnerable and disadvantaged people in East Oxford, making grants to organisations that demonstrate partnership working across faiths and cultures. You can donate to the fund here.

Register online for complimentary tickets at Eventbrite