2007年VOA标准英语-Iranian-Born Songwriter Begins First Journey Ba

By Sabina Castelfranco
Rome
06 March 2007

Iranian-born Fred Nassiri travels back to his native country for the first time in more than 26 years. For the songwriter and philanthropist who travels the world with his musical message of peace, it will be an emotional journey. He says he also hopes to be able to mediate¹ between Iran and the United States on the nuclear stand off. For VOA, Sabina Castelfranco reports from Rome.

Fred Nassiri

Since undergoing what he refers to a transformation² in 1987, Fred Nassiri has been devoting his life to spreading a message of peace, love and reconciliation³ through his songs and music.

In Rome, he presented his new album "Love Sees No Color" and was allowed to film part of his music video inside the Vatican. Nassiri has been travelling around the world singing his world peace anthem⁴ in 15 different languages.

He says he wants the world to know that the present system of an eye for an eye is not working. There needs to be more sharing and caring. He adds that we have been given a paradise to live in harmony with each other.

The songwriter uses his music to call for a reduction of military budgets. He says nations must stop spending money for the destruction of mankind.

Nassiri was born a Muslim in Iran but immigrated⁵ to the United States when he was 20. He became very successful as one of the country's largest wholesalers of designer labels to mass clothing merchandisers.

Despite his wealth Nassiri searched for life's meaning. He converted to Catholicism but says he does not renounce⁶ any religion.

"I don't say Muslim is bad. I love Muslim, I love Christian⁷, I have Buddhism⁸ because they all want to send the same message so I do not renounce any religion," he said. "I accept all religions. So I am Catholic now but I also go pray with Moslems, I also go to Jewish synagogue. I take a little bit from all those prophets to take me to God."

"I don't say mine is better than yours, it's the same path. Some people follow that If Islam was no good, there would not be two billion people following that," he continued.

Nassiri was traveling back to Iran Tuesday for the first time in over 26 years. He says its very emotional to return to the country of his birth where he plans to stay for a week. He will arrive in Shiraz, in the southwest of the country, where he was born.

But Nassiri says he hopes to also go to Tehran. He says he would like to help mediate between Iran and the United States on the nuclear stand off. He says the world does not need another Iraq.

"I hope to meet the president of Iran, Mr. Ahmadinejad and sit down and talk to him because I could be effective to bring peace in that region, between Iran and the United States," he said.

Nassiri has created what he refers to as a world peace movement. He believes the key to it is helping⁹ children and the underprivileged and demonstrating the power of uplifting music that carries a message of love and peace.

His album "Love Sees No Color" is due out in April and all profits will go to the poor and hungry of this world. He says the title of the album is an anthem for peace for years to come.

Nassiri makes clear this is not another music video, or another singer who wants to promote his song or album.

"I don't do music to sell music to make money," he said. "I don't do music just to get name and fame. I do music for love of music and love of humanity."

Nassiri's self-financed world tour, which began in September, will take also be taking him to London and then to New York in a month for the grand finale. There he will sing to peace with children of all nationalities at the Statue of Liberty.

1 mediate   

vi.调解，斡旋；vt.经调解解决；经斡旋促成

参考例句：

• The state must mediate the struggle for water resources.政府必须通过调解来解决对水资源的争夺。
• They may be able to mediate between parties with different interests.他们也许能在不同利益政党之间进行斡旋。

2 transformation   

n.变化；改造；转变

参考例句：

• Going to college brought about a dramatic transformation in her outlook.上大学使她的观念发生了巨大的变化。
• He was struggling to make the transformation from single man to responsible husband.他正在努力使自己由单身汉变为可靠的丈夫。

3 reconciliation   

n.和解，和谐，一致

参考例句：

• He was taken up with the reconciliation of husband and wife.他忙于做夫妻间的调解工作。
• Their handshake appeared to be a gesture of reconciliation.他们的握手似乎是和解的表示。

4 anthem   

n.圣歌，赞美诗，颂歌

参考例句：

• All those present were standing solemnly when the national anthem was played.奏国歌时全场肃立。
• As he stood on the winner's rostrum,he sang the words of the national anthem.他站在冠军领奖台上，唱起了国歌。

5 immigrated   

v.移入( immigrate的过去式和过去分词 )；移民

参考例句：

• He immigrated from Ulster in 1848. 他1848年从阿尔斯特移民到这里。 来自辞典例句
• Many Pakistanis have immigrated to Britain. 许多巴基斯坦人移居到了英国。 来自辞典例句

6 renounce   

v.放弃；拒绝承认，宣布与…断绝关系

参考例句：

• She decided to renounce the world and enter a convent.她决定弃绝尘世去当修女。
• It was painful for him to renounce his son.宣布与儿子脱离关系对他来说是很痛苦的。

7 Christian   

adj.基督教徒的；n.基督教徒

参考例句：

• They always addressed each other by their Christian name.他们总是以教名互相称呼。
• His mother is a sincere Christian.他母亲是个虔诚的基督教徒。

8 Buddhism   

n.佛教（教义）

参考例句：

• Buddhism was introduced into China about 67 AD.佛教是在公元67年左右传入中国的。
• Many people willingly converted to Buddhism.很多人情愿皈依佛教。

9 helping   

n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的

参考例句：

• The poor children regularly pony up for a second helping of my hamburger. 那些可怜的孩子们总是要求我把我的汉堡包再给他们一份。
• By doing this, they may at times be helping to restore competition. 这样一来, 他在某些时候,有助于竞争的加强。