"Mali-Ko"- Mali Singers Unite To Sing For Peace With Powerful Song- video

Muslim extremists in northern Mali have already destroyed ancient historical sites in Timbuktu, and the scourge of radical Islam now threatens to destroy the rich musical heritage of Mali by banning all music. With the battle heating up between the extremists and French and Mali government forces, a group of over 40 Mali singers and musicians came together to sing for peace. Arranged by Fatoumata Diawara, the session included some of the most loved musicians in Mali, including the amazing Oumou Sangare.

Called "Voices United for Mali" the other singers include:

Amadou and Mariam, Oumou Sangare, Bassekou Kouyate, Vieux Farka Toure, Djelimady Tounkara, Toumani Diabate, Khaira Arby, Kasse Mady Diabate, Baba Salah, Afel Bocoum, Tiken Jah, Amkoullel and Habib Koite.

The powerfully beautiful track sung in both French and Bambara is called 'Mali-ko' (Peace / La Paix), and the subtitles are in French. This site has the English lyrics, but here are just a few:

NEVER HAVE I SEEN SUCH CATASTROPHE, SUCH DESOLATION. THEY WANT TO IMPOSE SHARIA LAW ON US. TELL THE NORTH THAT OUR MALI IS ONE NATION, INDIVISIBLE!!

WHO WOULD HAVE IMAGINED OUR COUNTRY THIS WAY? JUST AS WE MALIANS WERE REACHING STABILITY, OTHERS TRY TO DESTABILIZE US. IN THE NORTH, PEOPLE ARE STARVING, WOMEN ARE GOODS TO BE TRADED, THEY ARE BEATEN AND RAPED!

WE DON'T WANT WAR !!!!! NOT IN OUR MALI!!!! WAR DESTROYS EVERYTHING IN ITS PATH.

Diawara said:

“Malians are very worried today. We are busy losing our own country. We are very very concerned about not being able to sing in our own country because not only are women being raped, beaten and mistreated in the north, but now they want to prevent us from making music, knowing that music is the soul of Mali."

Unfortunately, war is the only way to rid the land of extremists who want to establish Sharia across the African continent, and with that take away their ability to sing.

My heart breaks for the people of Mali. I hope the good guys prevail.



Source: Al Arabiya