Salman Ahmad spoke and performed at Google headquarters in Palo Alto, hosted by Google’s “Mr Jolly” Chade Meng for Googlers in Mountain View on January 14, 2011. He spoke about his book “Rock and Roll Jihad: A Muslim Rock Star’s Revolution.”
Tag: Rock and Roll Jihad
Salman Ahmad, the author of Rock and Roll Jihad, performing at the Jaipur Literature Festival.
-Photos taken by Neeti Mehta, writer and photographer, during the Jaipur Literary Festival.
Salman Ahmad (Junoon)’s Latest Interview for Rolling Stone
1. In the book, the recollection of your encounter with Gene Simmons (on Politically Incorrect) was quite appalling and unnerving. Did Simmons shake some of your belief in the spirit of rock n roll that day?
Gene Simmons’ surprise personal attack on TV showed me a sad glimpse of a raging rockstar trying to resemble a mad mullah. My post 9/11 appearance on Bill Maher’s “Politically incorrect” confirmed that the so called “clash of civilizations” is actually a clash of ignorance between Islam and the West.
“It is cowardly to blow yourself up”, says Salman Ahmad. He has been described as Pakistan’s answer to the rock star Bono. His band, Junoon, has sold more than twenty million albums around the world and he has written a book, Rock ‘n Roll Jihad.
He is a passionate campaigner against radical and extremist views in Islam, but his promotion of inclusive Islam has angered hardliners who think his form of entertainment goes against Muslim values. Stephen Sackur asks what qualifies him to be a credible cultural messenger.
The self-styled sufi rocker Salman Ahmad has worn many hats during his short life. His latest effort has lead him to the role of an author, as his book “Rock & Roll Jihad: A Muslim Rock Star’s Revolution” was released in North America by Simon & Schuster on January 12 and in Pakistan on January 15, is on a quest to bridge differences based on belief through “the universal language of music”. The book reveals a touching and very colorful quest.
He has been featured in the news in very famous international media networks like Guardian, NY Times, BBC, CNN, The Independent, in one of the top destination for news The Huffington Post and many more for quite a lot and has been performing and giving lectures on faith in various popular universities of America.
This is a guest blog by Salman Ahmad of Junoon and is a response to recent appearance of Ali Azmat on Dawn Tv
By Salman Ahmed
FROM SALMAN AHMAD FOR ALL DISGRUNTLED JUNOONIS
Dear Junoonis,
After reading your deluge of e-mails and tweets of disgust concerning Ali Azmat‘s recent appearance on Dawn TV, I saw the programme myself and I don’t know whether to laugh or cry!
I’m stunned at the audacity of ignorance, the dishonesty and the complete hypocrisy uttered by Ali Azmat on the recent Dawn TV show.
Pakistan does not need the “Danda” or a “Khilafat” any more than it needs corrupt politicans, suicide bomb blasts and drones that kill innocent civilians.
I wonder why Dawn TV doesn’t choose to invite serious people who have contributed positively to Pakistan’s culture, education and society rather than trying to get cheap laughs out of confused and brainwashed celebrity addicts.
By Hasan Faridi
Behind the violence and daily struggles that undergo throughout Pakistan, one of the most popular Pakistani rock musician, Salman Ahmad, is now in the spotlight with a brand new album, Rock & Roll Jihad.
Each day of Salman Ahmad’ life has been a chapter in a new book. Being raised in a British school in Lahore and graduating, he later joined the musical group Vital Signs of patriotic “Dil Dil Pakistan” fame. After leaving due to musical differences, Salman formed Junoon, also known at the time as the “Beatles of South Asia”. Junoon were the biggest and most long-lasting band in South Asia.
Salman is an activist, a UN Goodwill Ambassador for HIV/AIDS and has helped relations between Pakistan and India.
Listen to the demos of Salman Ahmad‘s album ‘Rock & Roll Jihad‘ which features 5 brand new studio recordings and 5 electrifying tracks from “The concert for Pakistan”
The album will officially release on 1st June 2010 under the record label ‘Nameless Sufi Music’ on all major online stores.
You can buy the album or singles from Amazon on 1st June.
Total Length: 54:44
Genres: International/General, Rock/General
Album Price: $7.99
Album Tracklist:
Breaking News! Time to Follow the Music of Junoon!
You can Pre-order the soundtrack album, Rock and Roll Jihad, from CCNOW Right Now!
Salman Ahmad – Rock & Roll Jihad
“Available for Pre-order”
Album Price: $20.00 USD
Album will be released on June 1, 2010.
Rock & Roll Jihad: Including 5 brand new studio recordings and 5 electrifying tracks from “The concert for Pakistan”