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www.insideHALTON.com · OAKVILLE BEAVER Wednesday, February 15, 2012 · 10 The Meeting House event raises $100,000 for Syria By Hiba Kesebi SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER Freedom opens doors of possibility, opportunity and success. When Syrians were free thousands of years ago, they invented the alphabet, Ugarit -- the oldest music notation in history, and the musical scale. Today, their peaceful revolution for freedom will once again open doors of prospect and hope. That was the message put forth by renowned Syrian-American composer and pianist, Malek Jandali, to the 700 people who attended SOS Syria. The event, which was held Saturday at The Meeting House in Oakville, raised more than $100,000 for the thousands of Syrians who have been displaced under the rule of the Syrian government. Syrians, said Jandali, tend to talk about ancient Syria because since the Assad family took power 40 years ago there has been nothing to be proud of. "We had Hafez al-Assad then Bashar al-Assad," he said. Today, however, the Syrian people are proving they are among the most courageous in the world, he said. Jandali noted that while he may not have the courage of those Syrians in the street, he has his freedom as an American citizen and he has music, and to utilize those two elements is the least he could do to support the people in Syria. Despite living in Atlanta, Georgia -- thousands of miles from Syria -- Jandali said his music and freedom have posed a threat to the regime; a threat large enough that his mom, 66, and his dad, 73, were brutally attacked in Syria. Four days after performing Watani Ana (My Homeland), a piece from his album Echoes of Ugarit that was inspired by the Arab spring, and criticizing the dictatorship of the Assad regime, at the White House on July 23, 2011, Jandali she he learned his parents had been injured. "The thugs ransacked our home, attacked my parents and brutally beat my mom," he said. "They referenced my performance, my name and they specifically told her (his mother) we are teaching you a lesson because you obviously did not know how to raise your kid." Today, both of Jandali's parents are living with him in Atlanta. He said the attack on his parents only made him more determined to tell the world of the brutality that has taken place in Syria. "When they couldn't catch me as a free human being with rights because I am a proud American-Syrian they went and attacked my Syrian parents. Shame on them," he told The Oakville Beaver. Jandali's story is nothing out of the ordinary. Families of many Syrian activists abroad, including SyrianCanadians have been targeted. However, SOS Syria proved that any fear tactic the Syrian government may hope to instill will not silence expats nor will it silence those currently living in the country. Syria is free, Jandali told those attending the event; its people are no longer afraid to go out in the street and publicly denounce the government. "We are on our way to rebuild our more beautiful Syria." Small price. Big reward. · Absolutely stunning HD picture quality · Exclusive Whole Home PVR: Record as many as 4 shows at the same time, and play them back from up to 6 TVs in your home1 · Huge selection of HD titles On Demand · Access services such as Facebook® and Twitter right from your TV 2 · Plus, Fibe TV is delivered through our fibre optic network,3 no dish required. TM FIBE TV WHOLE HOME PVR RENTAL $ All monthly fees included. Installation fees apply.4 13 86/MO. for 36 months BONUS: Choose to own it afterwards at no additional charge.5 Available at the following Bell stores: Oakville Hampshire Gate at Dundas 905 829-9001 Oakville Oakville Place 905 845-3080 Offer ends February 18, 2012. 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