Music Has No Boundaries
The Saga of 93.6 RAM FM and the Birth of NISSA FM in Palestine and Israel
Format:Paperback
Publisher:Cune Press,US
Published:28th Jul '22
Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back
Radio broadcasts don't respect borders or walls. Told for the very first time – the real story of 93.6 RAM FM, a pioneering English-language radio station in Palestine/Israel. Starting from the ground up in a most difficult geo-political environment, to the eventual launch, and the impact it made by sharing narratives of the "other" and with music. RAM FM was breaking boundaries and unfurling bridges of common ground, at a time when walls of separation were being constructed.
The story, which includes the author’s return to radio to be the host of the ONLY political talk show that brought both sides to talk on a common platform in a neutral language (English) is most unique. He created a marriage of diplomacy and radio, charting his journey from being an Ambassador to a DJ/talk show host and eventually a Radio Peace Envoy.
The story of the huge audience the station built, the positive impact it made, the struggle to remain ‘on air’ and its eventual demise is told for the first time. Rising from its ashes is the story of the birth of - Radio Nissa FM, the first women radio station in the Arab world - which today provides a voice to empower women in a male-dominated society in Palestine. Selected photographs included.
This exact moment, I finished your amazing book, tears on my eyes and a smile on my lips is representing my feelings right now... Your last words on the 5th conference made me shout YES... this is what both nations needs to understand.
—Ashraf Akram, New Story Leadership for the Middle East
Having followed the start-ups of RAM FM 93.6 and Nissa FM and being an avid fan of both, I knew bits and pieces of their stories. This insider account brings the entire picture into full color, weaving the bold story of two radio stations with the myriad of complications of a region fraught with turmoil. If I did not know better, I would say this had to be fiction, but sadly it’s a true story, one I still live in today.
—Sam Bahour, Al-Bireh/Ramallah
This is a story of hope and redemption. It was a valiant attempt to bridge the gap by knocking down artificial tribal walls and that takes some crafty ingenuity and chutzpah. RAM FM was one-part people to people talking across the lines and another part was flat out high voltage extreme octane rock and roll. Together they created a magic formula. That is probably why the RAM FM “experiment with truth” was stopped in its tracks by those who had a stake in the status quo. If anything, this story should leave you thinking what you can do to bridge the proverbial gap and see everyone with the same degree of respect, appreciation, recognition and acceptance as you wish to be treated yourself.
—Dr. Brian Polkinghorn, Department of Conflict Analysis and Dispute Resolution at Salisbury University, Fulbright Ambassador
Radio Nissa FM, the first and only women radio station in the Arab World, that I had the pleasure of visiting, is an incredible media platform that enlightens, inspires and empowers women.
—Rosanna Arquette, Hollywood actress/ producer/ director, Womanity Ambassador
Just finished it and was riveted. It's a great tale of perseverance. Congratulations - I'm delighted that Ram FM will survive for posterity in your book, and outlive the broadcast of that last tearful goodbye.
—Nicholas Pelham, The Economist, Middle East Correspondent, London, UK
Thank you so much for sharing (and writing!) this gem! What a wonderful read. I love the personal story and details of day of day issues behind the whole bigger narrative.
—Rana Askoul, CEO – Womanity Foundation, Dubai/Geneva
Just finished your book – we in the world are blessed to have you here – making a difference!
—Dr. David Dolev – Assistant Director, Massachusetts Institute of Technology International Science and Technology Initiatives, Cambridge Massachusetts
Raf’s memoir reads like an adventure novel but provides insightful behind-the-scenes details of building of the first Israeli-Palestinian Radio Station with clarity, intimacy, and humor and, perhaps most importantly, rare and credible objectivity.
—Andrew Hirsh, Founder & CEO of Olive Branch Pictures, Philadelphia, USA
It is exciting and I wish you great success with your book.
—Gideon Levy, Haaretz Columnist & Member of Editorial Board, Tel Aviv, Israel
ISBN: 9781951082178
Dimensions: unknown
Weight: unknown
116 pages