Oregon Folk Singer Heading to Syria to Serenade ISIS

Oregon Folk Singer Heading to Syria to Serenade ISIS

For some reason, I thought “folk singers” went out with lava lamps, tie-dye, and patchouli, and though I know folk music has a long and proud tradition, I just can’t shake the image of doped-out ’60s hippies singing about peace at SDS and Weather Underground rallies . . . where domestic terrorism was often on the list of things to do.

As it turns out, though, folk singing is alive and well; indeed, an Oregon folk singer is heading to Syria with the hopes of serenading ISIS into peaceful submission.

It sounds like an Onion story, but Fox News reports:

James Twyman, of Portland, Ore., told FoxNews.com he feels a “calling” and believes he can soften the hearts of the Islamist army known for beheading Westerners, throwing gays off of buildings and summarily executing innocent women and children.

“It’s going to be pretty powerful,” Twyman said, referring to his plan to have those attending and others around the world sing and pray for peace at the same time. “When people come together and focus on something in a positive way…there’s scientific evidence that it can change things for the better.”

So this American folk singer, who considers himself a “peace troubadour,” is going to saunter up to ISIS, pull out his tambourine or bongo drums (or whatever), and start singing “Kumbaya”?

Not quite.

Twyman leaves Jan. 20, and plans to stop in Italy before heading to Israel. From there, he will then cross over the northern border shared with Syria to a small Druze village.

While that village, Majdal Shams, is occupied by Israel, Twyman said he has contacts there trying to set up a venue in ISIS-controlled territory. Either way, the show is set for Jan. 31.

Whether or not he gets his wish to sing for ISIS in their own territory, the State Department has placed heavy restrictions on travel to Syria.

Fox News continues:

The U.S. State Department placed heavy restrictions on travel to Syria ever since ISIS started occupying large regions throughout the Middle Eastern country.

“No part of Syria should be considered safe from violence,” reads the travel warning on the State Department website. “The potential for hostile acts exists throughout the country, including kidnappings and the use of chemical warfare against civilian populations.

Despite the warnings, he intends to go:

Twyman says that officials from the State Department reached out to him and urged him to cancel.

“They have advised me not to go,” he said.

Officials for the State Department declined to comment on the matter when contacted by FoxNews.com.

Twyman believes he must go, despite the dangers.

“I’m no sort of hero, but I do believe in the power of this.”

“Hero” was not the word I had in mind.

[Featured image via The Daily Beast]

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