PESHAWAR: Rights` activists, artists and music buffs on Friday stressed the need for strengthening social cohesion and interfaith harmony through music.

Being an effective medium, musical expression could bring closer communities beyond ethnic, racial and religious boundaries, they said, adding that social cohesion and interfaith harmony could be strengthened through traditional folk music.

They were speaking at amusic concert titled `tunes for harmony` arranged under the banner of Culture, Literature, Arts and Development Organisation (Clado), a nonprofit body, at the main hall of Ideas of School of Arts (ISA) here on Friday evening.

The main theme of the initiative was to highlight the power of traditional folk music and its significance in advancing the cause of social cohesion and interfaith harmony. Peace activists from Hindu, Sikh, Christian communities and a few Afghan artists also turned up at the event.

Abdur Rahman Afridi, chiefof Clado, in his opening remarks stated that music being a universal language had no regional, racial, religious or ethnic boundaries, and had played a significant role in cementing human ties down the ages.

He added social cohesion and interfaith harmony always brought communities together both through instrumental and vocal tunes.

Alamgir Halaj, chief organiser of the event, remarked that his organisation in collaboration with Chanan Development Association used literature and performing arts to promotesocial cohesion and pluralism in the society.

Coordinator ISA Hanifur Rahman said that such activities not only brought society back to life but also created a breathing space for economic empowerment of the artists` community from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds.

Folk artists Khan Agha, Jalal Zaheri and Edwin Yousaf mesmerised the audience with their electrifying instrumental music of rabab, harmonium and tabla while budding musicians also entertained the music buffs.Rajish Kumar, a young participant, told this scribe that he along with four friends enjoyed the event, saying it would promote the cause of interfaith harmony in the region.

`Folk symphonies would help break the militants` narrative,` he stated.

Peace activists Shahabuddin Khan, Mohammad Haris Khan and Anwar Khan shed light on various aspects of folk music.

Javeria Fayyaz and Khurram Fazal, both music critics, appreciated the initiative, arguing that such events should be encouraged at alllevels in the city.