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The book provides a narrative of hope, manifest in the sincere efforts to bridge the divide between Palestinians and Israelis with one radio station and then between women and men with the other - with music bridging the divide.
List of contents
In The Beginning 9
Building a Radio Station 21
Launch of 93.6 Ram FM 35
Return to Radio 49
93.6 Ram FM 61
Closure of 93.6 Ram FM 71
Post-Ram FM 85
Radio Nissa FM 95
Epilogue 107
Acknowledgements 110
About the author
Rafique Gangat, philosopher, cricketer, music impresario, broadcaster, and writer - was the first-ever career diplomat of 'color' for South Africa. He served as Vice-Consul in Beverly Hills and on his return became the Spokesperson for the Department of Foreign Affairs, later serving in Karachi as Consul-General and then as Ambassador to United Arab Emirates. He quit the diplomatic service after being Ambassador to Palestine in 2003, where he embarked on establishing a radio station, modelled on South Africa's Radio 702, which Nelson Mandela affirmed, played a significant role in reconciliation in post-Apartheid South Africa.
Summary
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.
Additional text
It is exciting and I wish you great success with your book.
—Gideon Levy, Haaretz Columnist & Member of Editorial Board, Tel Aviv, Israel
