USA: SINGER STING RECEIVES KAHIL GIBRAN "SPIRIT OF HUMANITY " AWARD FROM ARAB AMERICAN INSTITUTE FOR HIS HUMAN RIGHTS AND ENVIRONMENTAL WORK

Record ID: 387989

  • Title: USA: SINGER STING RECEIVES KAHIL GIBRAN "SPIRIT OF HUMANITY " AWARD FROM ARAB AMERICAN INSTITUTE FOR HIS HUMAN RIGHTS AND ENVIRONMENTAL WORK
  • Date: 5th May 2001
  • Summary: WIDE OF STING ACKNOWLEDGING APPLAUSE SMV ( SOUNDBITE ENGLISH) STING WALKING ALONG HOTEL CORRIDOR AND SAYING " I have a concert here in Washington tonight."
  • Embargoed: 20th May 2001 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: WASHINGTON, D.C. UNITED STATES
  • Country: USA
  • Topics: Entertainment
  • Reuters ID: LVAECCODTPK3B622P68TJSL7NJLL
  • Story Text: British rock icon Sting has received the Kahlil Gibran 'Spirit of Humanity' Award in Washington, D.C. for his work with human rights organizations and the environment. He dashed straight to a concert he was giving in the city to kick off the American leg of his World Tour.
    Celebrities and politicians stood side-by-side at the Capital Hilton Hotel on Saturday (May 5) including U.S.
    Secretary of State Colin Powell, and Queen Noor as the the Arab American Institute awarded Sting and three other recipients with the 'Spirit of Humanity' Award for their contribution to "promote coexistence and inclusion in all walks of life."
    According to the Arab American Institute, Sting's career "exemplifies those in the recording industry whose vision and efforts have reached beyond conventional parameters to embrace and celebrate common humanity."
    Queen Noor, widow of the late King Hussein of Jordan and a personal friend of Stings, made a surprise appearance to present the award. She praised his commitment to humanitarian and environmental projects and said he was one of the few " special heroes" she had been privileged to meet throughout her life.
    As he accepted the award, Sting referred to his hit single, the groundbreaking " Desert Rose", a duet with Algerian pop vocalist Cheb Mami. He talked of the influences that Arab culture had exerted on Western arts and culture saying and described how he and Cheb Mami collaborated on "Desert Rose."
    He concluded his acceptance speech by quoting directly from poet Kahil Gibran " Your children are not your children, they are the sons and daughters the longing of life for itself."
    Sting, a former school teacher, was born Gordon Sumner in Northumbria, England. His musical career was launched in 1977 as frontman of rock band The Police. He has pursued a solo recording career since the 1980's with hits like "Fields of Gold " and " An Englishman in New York."
    He is a longtime advocate of human rights and the environment. He founded The Rainforest Foundation with his wife,Trudi Styler, to safeguard the rights and environment of indigenous peoples. He is also known for his work with Live Aid, Band Aid and Amnesty International.
    Sting is currently on a world tour called " Brand New Day " named after his Grammy, award winning album. He went straight from the award ceremony to perform at the first in a series of concerts across the United States.
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