A Race Unity Day concert was dedicated yesterday to Baha'i musician Andrew Morrison, found dead at Astwood Park on Friday.

The event -- organised by the Baha'i community -- was based on the theme "One Island, One People, One Future''.

And it drew large crowds to Victoria Park, who came out under sunny skies to listen to speeches and a feast of music.

Mr. Morrison, of Marl Lane, Warwick, who was found at the foot of cliffs, died from massive head injuries, Police said yesterday.

A leading organiser of yesterday's concert, Mr. Morrison was the media secretary for the Baha'is.

The Race Unity Day Committee considered cancelling the event, but decided Mr.

Morrison would have wanted it to go ahead.

Derick Symonds, a member of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'i Faith explained to The Royal Gazette that the Baha'is believed that racism was the most challenging issue facing the world today.

Arlene Brock, chairman of the National Spiritual Assembly, told The Royal Gazette how the idea for a Race Unity Day originated in the USA in 1912 when Abdu'l Baha, son of the founder of Baha'i, visited that country and recognised that more had to be done to foster better relations between races.

"The oneness of humanity is at the heart of the Baha'i Faith'' states Baha'i literature -- and unity and equality are central tenets of the faith.

The George Symonds Trio got things started and was followed by opening remarks from Director of Community and Cultural Affairs, Ms Grace Rawlins.

She stressed that with modern technology, the oneness of the world was becoming more apparent. "We can consider everyone as our neighbour'' she said.

Ms Rawlins also said that all systems in the world were interrelated and people could not separate themselves from others. "The more able we are to set aside our differences, the more likely we are to survive'' she added.

The Bermuda Institute Choir then performed a rousing version of "Voices of Triumph''.

They were followed by the Suzuki Violin Ensemble and singer Deletta Gillespie.

A Parade of Nations then took place with a woman in Surinamese National Dress, Phillipine dancers, Scottish dancers accompanied by bagpipies and the Africa Drums "Fires of Africa''.

Part two of the concert was opened by a vocal duet by Kion Simmons and Lloyd Holder.

Young De Vaun DeGraff performed a saxophone solo to great applause and then MC Randy Vaucrosson asked for two minutes of silence in honour of Andrew Morrison.

After a brief interlude, S.H.E. a female trio of singers performed and the evening was brought to a conclusion by Bermuda's National Youth Jazz Ensemble.