TEHRAN - The 1st International Music Festival of Muhammad (S), the Prophet of Kindness came to end on Monday evening with tribute paid to Christian Iranian composer Loris Tjeknavorian and prominent French musician Maurice Jarre for their collaborations in some Islamic projects.

Tjeknavorian, 78, was praised for composing the symphony “Messenger of Love and Hope” on Prophet Muhammad (S), and Jarre was honored for his collaboration in Syrian-American filmmaker Moustapha Akkad’s “The Message” (1976).

Earlier last week, the organizers announced their plan to honor Oscar-winning Indian composer A. R. Rahman for his composition “Muhammad (S), the Messenger of God”, Majid Majidi’s film on the Prophet of Islam, at the ceremony. However, they excluded him from the program without comment.

Tjeknavorian shared some memories of living with Muslims during the ceremony, which was held at Tehran’s Bahman Cultural Center on the eve of the birth anniversary of Prophet Muhammad (S).

“I was raised in a Muslim nation whose Islamic culture, ethics and rituals have always drawn my attention,” Tjeknavorian said.

Tjeknavorian explained that from an early age he became interested in the mourning rituals of Muharram that are held annually to commemorate the martyrdom anniversary of Imam Hussein (AS) and his loyal companions.

“I have finished composing a symphony on Imam Hussein (AS) based on various musical selections from the Muharram rituals and I hope to record it within the next year,” he said.

The organizers also honored dotar virtuoso Osman Mohammad-Parast who is a veteran folk musician from his native region of Khorasan located in northeast Iran.

The Art and Cultural Organization of the Tehran Municipality launched the festival as part of its cultural programs to mark the birth anniversary of Prophet Muhammad (S), which fell on Tuesday.

Ensembles from Iranian provinces of Gilan, Sistan-Baluchestan, Kordestan, Lorestan, Khorasan, Mazandaran and Bushehr along with numerous musicians from Afghanistan, Iraq, Tajikistan, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Georgia and Morocco went on stage during the four-day event.

Photo: Christian Iranian composer Loris Tjeknavorian holds an award that he received during the 1st International Music Festival of Muhammad (S), the Prophet of Kindness at Tehran’s Bahman Cultural Center on December 28, 2015. Some organizers of the festival are also seen in the photo. (Tasnim/Meqdad Madadi)

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