Pop stars coming together to croon for various good (or at least perceived to be good) causes has a considerable history. George Harrison’s concert for Bangladesh, We Are the World and the various fiascos organised by Bob Geldof, amongst other projects, instantly spring to mind. The local pop scene isn’t much different, with ‘socially aware’ artistes wanting to give back to the community, and all that jazz.

The most recent in this growing gaggle of Pakistani charity pop projects is a song/video titled Yeh Hum Naheen (YHN from hereon), recently launched at a press conference held in a Karachi hotel. The six-minute-plus video, shot on high definition, features the talents of some of today’s leading names from the local pop industry, such as Strings, Ali Zafar and Shafqat Amanat Ali. Add to this line-up such down-but-definitively-not-out names as Haroon, Ali Haider and Hadiqa Kiani, and you’ve got a colourful chorus line sure to grab a headline or two.

Written by Ali Moeen, Pakistans foremost lyricist, with music composed by Shuja Haider, its the central message of the song that has compelled so many people to become involved. It is a message of reconciliation, a message of peace and a message of truth. Capturing the imagination of people across the board, Yeh Hum Naheen has given a voice to the silent majority, those in the Muslim world who have for too long been mis-represented. These are the people who although not appearing on our television screens are saddened and shocked at the high-jacking of Islam by terrorists, and want to stand up and shout “This is Not Us”.

The purport of the video, as per the press release, is to clearly demarcate the distinction between the true message of Islam, which, despite popular belief, has been a positive socio-political force for the past 1,428 years or so, and the acts of brutal violence currently being carried out in its name.

“The idea behind YHN came about because my children were fed up with the way in which some misguided people were high-jacking Islam and putting forward a message of radicalisation and terrorism, which was at total odds with the core teachings of the religion. This song is aimed at the Pakistani youth, who have now got to stand up and say this is not us,” claimed Waseem Mahmood, the gentleman behind this project, in the press release. Mahmood has produced as well as directed the video.

The press conference was quite refreshing, without the usual long-winded speeches by corporate types. The organisers simply played the clip two to three times for the handful of assembled journalists, handed out press kits and goody bags and then invited the pressmen and women to chow down on coffee and munchies. At the end of the screening, a message was played by boxing champ Muhammad Ali, wishing the project well. Thanks a bunch, champ!

The lyrics for YHN have been penned by Ali Moeen, while Shuja Haider has produced the track. The song is slated to be released on March 10 through EMI.

Visit: Yeh Hum Naheen

YouTube : Yeh Hum Naheen Video