Junoon:
Q magazine calls them 'one of the biggest bands in the world'. Billborads says Junoon is 'the subcontinents biggest cross-over success after Nusrat Fateh A1i Khan'. Time magazine says 'Junoon uses soaring guitar riffs to deliver a Sufi message of mystic harmony'. After their tribute concert to the Pakistani qawwali legend Nusrat Fateh A1i Khan at Central Park, New York the New York Times dubbed their music as 'Pakistani pop wraped with religious ruptures'.
In a preview to Junoon's performance at the House of Blues in Los Angeles, Times says Junoon's 'ability to captivate audience is inspiring Beatles-like reactions'.
Junoon, meaning passion, consists of A1i Azmat, the voice of Juno on; Salman Ahmed on the guitars; and Brian O'Connell. They sing in the language of Urdu in a style blending Western hard rock with Sindhi, Punjabi folk and Qawalli. 'The bands appeal reaches beyond the Westernised elite', says Newsweek International

With initial years of struggle, Junoon scored its first big hit with Jazba-e-Junoon in 1996.

Later, Junoon released Azadi, their debut album across the borders in India which hit platinum sales in a record of four days, while the track Sayoni brought the group to an interational stature which got them 'the best international group' award at the Channel V Music awards where they performed with international artistes like Sting and DefLeppard.

Junoon headlined the BBC Mega Mela in 1998, the largest Asian festival ever held, while in 1999 UNESCO presented Junoon with an award for peace in the South Asian region. '

They hit the charts once again with Zamane Ke Andaaz in 2001 and their album Ishq topped the charts all over the globe.

And in June 2001 UN dubbed Salman Ahmed as the Goodwill Ambassador for Pakistan in a campaign to fight against AIDS.

Last year, Junoon released their latest album, Deewar which is creating ripples all over the globe. Masala! chats to Junoon to know more about the band, their aspirations and their concert tomorrow.

After a successful concert with Sonu Nigam in 2000, how does it feel to be coming back to Dubai for the sequel of 'Jaan Yehi Dosti Hai'?
Junoon and Sonu Nigam pioneered the 'Jaan Yehi Dosti Hai' concert series, which was Naresh Oberoi's brainchild. The seeds of peace that we planted in that record-breaking concert of October 2002 have finally borne fruit - Pakistan and India are ready to talk peace.

Back then Junoon and Sonu helped articulate the voice of millions of Pakistanis and Indians and the sequel will see a phenomenal response from all the peace loving people of the UAE soon.
Why is it that Junoon more or less comes into picture when both India and Pakistan
" are holding peace talks? Do you think music can help in bringing peace and to what extent?
Artists have a natural sensitivity to the earth and to humanity. We can't be ignorant of our inner feelings nor to the people of the subcontinent. Millions of Indians and Pakistanis want both countries to live in harmony like the notes on my guitar. Junoon's songs express that yearning for peace, joy and freedom.