**ELAHI from Nazareth, Israel – Classic Middle Eastern Music**

A night to remember the connection and shared ideals of the Abrahamic faiths: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam – and how their uniting in peace is a force that transforms the world and offers a hope to the world for a better world of harmonious coexistence free of violence and war.

*Hosted by Sheikh Ghassan Manasra, AR International Executive Director

*Musical Performance by ELAHI – Middle Eastern Music Ensemble headed by Sheikh Abed Elsalam Manasra, Abrahamic Reunion Israel Coordinator

*Prayers for Peace from Rabbi Michael Werbow (Temple Beth-Sholom), Father Joe Clifford (St. Thomas More Catholic Church), Rev. Elizabeth Thompson (Unity of Sarasota), and other religious leaders.

The Abrahamic Reunion hosts interfaith text study sessions in Sarasota, Palm Beach County, the UK, Germany, Israel, and Palestine, and holds major interfaith programs in the Holy Land. All funds donated are 501c3 tax deductible donations.

Checks should be made out to The Abrahamic Reunion.

Suggested Donations: $10 – $100

7-9pm

ELAHI (Abed and Isra and Ensemble) have opened for Alicia Keys and played all around Israel and Palestine at various venues, festivals, conferences, interfaith gatherings, and peacemaking events, and are classically trained Middle Eastern Musicians. Abed especially has taken the Sufi music passed down through his family and the Qadiri Sufi School in the Holy Land and added to it more instruments. He and his family play these compositions and will take you on an inner journey through the music, chanting, singing, celebrating, and remembrance of the divine essence within each of us.

Abed and Isra Manasra (Son and Daughter-in-law of Sheikh Ghassan Manasra) are visiting Sarasota for December and part of January.  They are professional musicians and have opened for Alicia Keys and played all across Israel in many venues, peacemaking events, interfaith conferences, and more.

Musical Instrumentation: Oud (Abed), Vocals (Isra, Ghassan), Kanoun (Hashem), Harmony Vocals (Zainab and Zuhaira), Percussion (Majdi). Classically trained in Middle Eastern and Sufi Music since they were children, Abed and Isra pursued further musical training with the great Kamil Shajrawi of the Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance, one of the famous Middle Eastern Musicians in the Holy Land.