Visiting Sudan was indeed a humbling experience. I was fortunate to have the opportunity to visit areas affected by poverty and conflict and witnessed first hand the great work being undertaken by Islamic Relief in Darfur - truly 'a worldwide leader in alleviating poverty.'
This was my first field visit - and definitely not my last. I have always been passionate about the humanitarian crises afflicting our globe. As an artist, I am keen to use my music not only for the purposes of sheer entertainment but also to bring about awareness about the humanitarian plight of many who are less fortunate than us. At the same time I strive to promote a message of hope for a better and brighter future for all.
In Darfur - I saw the poverty. I saw the destitution of the people, the orphans. I saw grief, agony and pain - people in desperate need.It is all very well seeing it on the news but nothing can compare to being there and witnessing it with your own eyes. It is like torture.
Yet despite the horrendous conditions many live in, I did not see despair and hopelessness. The Sudanese are a dignified people. When I asked Sheikh Mohammed - a village elder - what message he had for the global community, he replied: 'I pray we all live in peace and that conflicts all over the world are solved.'
