Faith in Peace Program September 19 2026

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David Searby, Faith in Peace Concerts: David shared the vision of Faith In Peace Concerts: Focusing on what unites us, not divides us,  and the formula of Great Music + Great Causes = PEACE!

Kimia Nowbahar is a senior at Langley High School in McLean, Virginia. She has had a passion for music from a young age, participating in chorus since elementary school and playing the piano. Alongside her love for the arts, Kimia is passionate about helping others and making a meaningful difference in society. She plans to pursue a career in medicine, with the goal of using her education and skills to serve others and create positive change in her community and beyond.

Kimia Nowbahar  performed "The Star Spangled Banner" in Arabic and then two songs in the Bahá'í Tradition:    

"Blessed is the Spot" and then "Radiant Heart"

Khatoon is an engineer by profession, but dance is where her heart truly lives. Khatoon teaches private and group lessons at her own studio, Khatoon Dance Studio in Tysons, Virginia.  She also teaches Persian Dance at the Persian Cultural Center in Vienna, Virginia, where she works with kids of all ages, helping them learn the beautiful techniques of Persian Dance and giving them the chance to perform at community events throughout the year.  "Khatoon" means "queen regnant" or "noble lady" and honestly, it suits her.

Mona Jahanbin and Mani Ajdari

Mona Jahanbin and Mani Ajdari Sing "Soghati" or "Souvenir" accompanied by images from Iran.

Aaron Shneyer’s roots, rock and soul driven music celebrates life and hopes to heal our divides. Aaron is the Musician-in-Residence at the historic Sixth & I Synagogue. Aaron weaves together elements of Rock n Roll, Folk, and the musics of South America and the Middle East. Aaron also leads our Fiscal Sponsor Heartbeat.

Aaron shared some songs that reflect the themes of peace and Judaism. 

Mohammed Arafat is a Palestinian poet from Gaza whose work explores home, memory, and everything in between. Through intimate details and everyday moments, his poetry carries the places and people that remain with us.

Mohammed Arafat and Aaron Shneyer  together shared Mohammed's  Poem "What the Land Took Back"

Khatoon shared another dance from the Persian tradition. 

Yusha Assad is a talented Muslim Hip-Hop artist with over 20 years of experience as a recording artist and performer. Yusha's music blends lyrical depth, affirmation, and lived experience.

Since April 1999, Reverend Zacharias has been the Senior Pastor of the John Wesley A.M.E. Zion Church in Washington, D.C.

He is also a program coordinator for the Leadership Council for Health Communities, a leader of the D.C. Poor People's Campaign, a Vice President of the Mayor's Council on Religious Affairs, and chaired the Faith Community of the D.C. Census 2020 Count.

The Sufi Melody mission is to promote unity and understanding among diverse communities through music, drawing inspiration from the inclusive tradition of Sufism. We seek to build bridges by sharing music from various faith traditions and cultures, with a particular focus on Islam and beyond.

Sufi Melody played songs from the Sufi and Jewish traditions:

Come, whoever you are

"Come, come, whoever you are

Wanderer, worshiper, lover of leaving

And come, come, whoever you are

This isn’t a caravan of despair

Come, come, whoever you are

Wanderer, worshiper, lover of leaving

And come, come, whoever you are

This isn’t a caravan of despair

[Refrain]

'Cause it doesn’t matter

If you’ve broken your vows

A thousand times before

And yet again

Come again, come

And yet again, come

[Verse 2]

Come, whoever you are

Wanderer, worshiper, lover of leaving

And come, come, whoever you are

This isn’t a caravan of despair."

Gel gör beni aşk neyledi (Look what love has done to me)

Lyrics to Gel gör beni aşk neyledi:

"I’m walking, my heart ablaze… Charred I’m burning!

Love painted me blood red

Left me neither sane nor mad

Come, see what Love did to me

Come, see what Love did to me

Made me addicted to misery…

Come, see what Love did to me

Made me addicted to misery…

Sometime as the winds,I whirl

At times as dust on the path, I drift

Sometimes as swift as a flood,

Come, see what Love has done to me

Come, see what Love did to me

Made me addicted to misery…

Come, see what Love did to me

Made me addicted to misery…

I’m Yunus the nebbish

Wanderer off love

Wounded from top to toe

Come, see what Love has done to me

Come, see what Love did to me

Made me addicted to misery…

Come, see what Love did to me

Made me addicted to misery…"

Only one heart

"No heart alone can find the sun , it cries for peace until we are one. The cold , the hate the hearts of stone, the eyes of men lost and alone.

In every house the warmth of the sun, in every heart the peace that will come.

In every house the warmth of the sun,in every heart the peace that will come.

In every house, in every heart4x

No one can wait , no one can cease, only one heart can ever bring peace.

No one can watch the path of the sun , only one heart and peace that will come.

In every home the path of the sun , in every heart the peace that will come."

Halay (Turkish wedding song)  / Hava Nagila (Jewish wedding song) 

(Featured Beneficiary Nonprofit): Since 1968, Anera has helped refugees and others hurt by conflicts in the Middle East live with dignity and purpose. Anera, which has no political or religious affiliation, works on the ground with partners in the West Bank, Gaza, East Jerusalem, Lebanon and Jordan. 

Anera will share a Video from Palestine Country Director Khaled Rajab

Anthony "Wordsmith" Parker is a Hip-Hop artist, an Independent Music Award winner and Baltimore Symphony Orchestra partner and leader of the nonprofit Rise with a Purpose. Wordsmith previously performed with the Concert for the Human Family of the US Episcopal Church.  

Wordsmith shared: 

"Welcome Home"

"Beautiful Reflections"

"Gems of Wisdom"

If you have already uploaded your Peace Game App, Get Ready to Light Up Your Digital Peace Torch! Or Go To www.peacegame.earth