UNITED NATIONS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC INFORMATION, MUSEUM OF JEWISH HERITAGE

TO REMEMBER SLAIN JOURNALIST DANIEL PEARL BY STAGING 29 OCTOBER CONCERT

To generate support for the family of the late Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl and all others that have suffered as a result of terrorism, the United Nations Department of Public Information, in partnership with the Museum of Jewish Heritage -- A Living Memorial to the Holocaust, will remember Pearl’s courage by organizing a concert as part of the Daniel Pearl World Music Days celebration.

The concert will take place at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, 29 October, at the Museum of Jewish Heritage, located at 36 Battery Place in New York.  It will feature the musical groups Soulfarm and Moshav Band, offering a unique blend of rock, reggae, folk, funk and soul.  Tickets may be obtained by calling 646 437 4202 or visiting www.mjhnyc.org.  The concert is arranged through Golden Land Concerts & Connections, Inc., and is the third presented in collaboration with the Holocaust and the United Nations Outreach Programme of the Department of Public Information’s Outreach Division.

Six years ago, the world was shocked by Pearl’s brutal murder and horrified when the terrorists advertised it on the Internet.  The United Nations Secretary-General has strengthened the international community’s resolve to fight such acts of terrorism, most recently by convening the first ever symposium to support the victims of terrorism and their families, on 9 September 2008.  “By giving a human face to the painful consequences of terrorism, you help build a global culture against it,” said Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

The concert is one of a series held around the world in October to observe Pearl’s birthday and use the universal language of music to spread a message of hope, unity and respect for diversity, particularly poignant as the United Nations marks another milestone this year, the sixtieth anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Acts of senseless violence continue to terrorize innocent victims and their families around the world.  Aid workers, doctors, United Nations staff and journalists have become easy targets, despite the fact that they risk their lives to help others, draw the world’s attention to the less fortunate or pursue the truth, no matter where it may lead them.

The Holocaust and the United Nations Outreach Programme is mandated by General Assembly resolution 60/7 to mobilize civil society for Holocaust remembrance and education in order to help prevent future acts of genocide.  More information is available at www.un.org/holocaustremembrance, or by contacting Kimberly Mann at 212 963 6835 or mann@un.org.

Created as a living memorial to those who perished during the Holocaust, the Museum of Jewish Heritage honours those who died by celebrating their lives, cherishing the traditions that they embraced, examining their achievements and faith and affirming the vibrant worldwide Jewish community that is their legacy today.  For more information on the Museum of Jewish Heritage — A Living Memorial to the Holocaust, please visit www.mjhnyc.org, or contact Betsy Aldredge at 646 437 4337 or baldredge@mjhnyc.org.

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For information media • not an official record