The Peace Belt was worn by Hala, a specialist in Middle Eastern dance, at Stanford University’s International Center as part of the University’s International Week Celebration.

Before her eagerly awaited performance, Hala offered a dance workshop. Several dozen students from around the world joined in a circle around Hala to participate. Many looked shy and stayed near the door or slightly outside of the circle. Most had never tried Middle Eastern dance before.

Hala is a poised and gregarious woman with a generous smile and contagious enthusiasm for her passion. She first demonstrated simple movements of the wrist or the arms to get everyone moving.

Inhibitions quickly slipped away as twists and turns were introduced. Soon everyone was practicing the moves and putting dance steps together. I was amazed at how quickly one could pick up a few simple moves, but also realized that Hala made more advanced dancing look easy.

At the end of the workshop, Hala welcomed everyone to take a turn dancing in the center of the circle. With the confidence and excitement of the newly acquired dance steps, the new Middle Eastern dancers eagerly jumped into the center of the circle. The room had become an energetic dance party.

Out of breath and newly inspired, the dancers became the audience and anticipation filled the air. Four members of Hala’s dance troupe began the performance and made way for Hala’s breathtaking entrance.

As the Peace Belt is not unlike the belts, sashes, and jewelry worn in traditional Middle Eastern Dance, the belt was particularly in keeping with Hala’s brightly colored costume.

Everyone cheered and clapped, and some sang along as Hala danced to the music of the famous female Arab singer, Om Kolthoum. The audience was infected with the moves and the music Hala had brought to them.

Hala Dance (www.haladance.com) offers classes, workshops and performances of traditional Middle Eastern dance.

S. Smith Patrick

Dancing with the peace belt was like a spiritual experience for me. Not only because it’s a beautiful piece of art, but mostly because of what it symbolizes. Above all, I was dancing to Om Kolthoum’s music who is the absolute most wonderful Arabic singer of all times. Om Kolthoum, even after her death in the 1980s, still unites all Arabic & Middle Eastern music lovers all over the world with her powerful, passionate and expressive songs. As you have witnessed, once the music started playing, the Arabic people in the audience started chiming in and singing the words, we simply cannot help it. It’s that uniting power of the music and dance that I find the most rewarding and heart warming. Dancing with the peace belt and being part of your wonderful project fills me with hope and aspirations to a just lasting peace in the Middle East which, I believe, can be achieved through the universal language of music & dance. My dance troupe consists of people from Egypt, Israel, Mexico, Costa Rica, Japan, China, Hong Kong & the USA. United, dancing together and enjoying the richness of our diverse backgrounds to bring harmony, joy & celebration to the world. Thank you for including us in your project!

Lots of love,
Hala