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THE RACE - ISSUE 10
Oran: Let the Music Play!
There's nothing like good music to capture
one's heart & spirit. Music has the power to bring joy or sorrow, happy
memories or sad thoughts.
The Algerian city of Oran has now brought to
the world a new and energetic music form- Raï! (meaning, "to state an
opinion" and pronounced "rye," as in rye bread). This upbeat, popular music
style has become very popular in Europe and Africa, even among non-Arabic
speakers; it's also getting airtime in the US.
In addition to bringing
the world Raï, Oran has played an important role in Algerian &
Mediterranean history. Algeria's second largest city (around 1 million)
situated near Morocco on the coast, Oran was founded in the early 10th
century as a center for trade between northern Africa and
Moorish-held southern Spain. The settlement declined after the Moors began to
leave Spain in 1492, and it subsequently became a base for pirates-
The Barbarossa Brothers.
During the 18th century it was held at times by
the Ottoman Turks and the Spanish. The community experienced renewed economic
growth after being annexed in 1831 by the French. Many French settled here,
but most of the European population left Oran during the War of Independence
(1954-62). Today, Oran has maintained its important as a busy port, shipping
natural petroleum, and many industrial products. Several technical schools
and universities are located in the city. Oran also boasts Nobel Prize
winner Albert Camus as one of its native sons. Camus is most famous in the
West for his works, The Stranger and The Plague.
The people of Oran
are known for their hospitality and their love for entertainment.
Oh!
that the music of God's praises would fill their hearts!
In unison when
the trumpeters and the singers were to make themselves heard with one voice
to praise and to glorify the Lord, and when they lifted up their voice
accompanied by trumpets and cymbals and instruments of music, and when they
praised the Lord saying, "He indeed is good for His lovingkindness is
everlasting," . . . then the house, the house of the Lord, was filled with a
cloud!!! (2 Chronicles 5:13)
Oh! that Oran would be known as the center
of worship for Algeria!
Please, pray that God would pour His Spirit out
upon the dear people of Oran and draw them to Himself.
Let His music
be heard!!!
The Algerian Arab Team
therace@therace.ws
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