Renowned singer-composer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan is set to perform at the Nobel Peace Prize Concert. Scheduled to take place on December 11 in Oslo, the event will be preceded by the Nobel Peace Prize Award Ceremony dated December 10.
Rahat is the first Pakistani to receive the honour of performing at the event, reported the Voice of America. However, according to Pakistani band Junoon’s official website, musician Salman Ahmad performed at the Nobel Peace Prize Awards Ceremony held in 2007.
Every year, Nobel Peace Prize Laureates receive their Nobel Peace Prize from the Chairman of the Norwegian Nobel Committee in the presence of King Harald V of Norway. An important part is the presentation of the Nobel Lectures by the Nobel Laureates.
The full line-up of artistes and performances includes, Steven Tyler, Queen Latifah, Laura Mvula, Gabrielle, Girls of The World, and a Bollywood performance, according to nobelpeaceprizeconcert.org. “We are thrilled to have these great artistes at this year’s Nobel Peace Prize Concert,” said Geir Lundestad, director of the Norwegian Nobel Institute.
On October 10, the Nobel Peace Prize went to 17-year-old Pakistani Malala Yousafzai and India’s Kailash Satyarthi for their work towards promoting children’s rights. “We will showcase music from the Prize winners’ home countries with a Bollywood celebration in addition to our major international stars Queen Latifah and Steven Tyler,” added Lundestad.
The Norwegian Nobel Committee awarded the prize, saying that peaceful global development can only come about if children and the young are respected. Malala is the youngest person to be awarded the globally prestigious annual prize.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif congratulated the teenage education campaigner on winning the Nobel Peace Prize, calling her the ‘pride’ of Pakistan. “She is (the) pride of Pakistan. She has made her countrymen proud. Her achievement is unparalleled and unequalled. Girls and boys of the world should take the lead from her struggle and commitment,” he said in a statement.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 23rd, 2014.
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