Thanks to Spleencringe for starting this thread. I believe strongly that understanding and enjoyment of the world's music is an important key to understanding the world's peoples, and to realising that we've got more to share with the rest of humanity than bombs and bullets.

At a time when every Muslim on the planet is being hounded because of the actions of a few lunatics, it is good to remember that the music of Islam is immensely rich and varied, and for the most part extremely beautiful.

To anyone who hasn't heard them already, I can thoroughly recommend Topic's reissue on thre CDs of the magnificent 6LP set, Music in the World of Islam. They're still on release and you can get them through Topic's website