As the conflict in Iraq lingers, battle lines have also been drawn on the homefront. Not everyone is taking sides, however.

The Filipino Association and Indonesian Student Association are neutral as far as the war goes, but both organizations say they’re willing to lend what help they can. The groups will host “Music, World & Peace” on Saturday, a concert and social event dedicated to raising money for victims of war.

“A lot of people, especially in Iraq and Afghanistan, have suffered so badly from this war,” says Denny Hadiwinata, Filipino Association member and graduate assistant in mechanical engineering. “This is why we came up with this idea — so that we can entertain the Ames community with beautiful music while helping international war victims.”

For a $7 cover charge, patrons will feast on Indonesian, Filipino and American food and experience live music from five bands: The Others, Band Eight, LesserKnownSaint, 8 Miles Out and Damaged Goods.

Not only did these bands agree to play for free to support the cause, they’re paying to play. Just like concert-goers, each band member will dish out $7.

The money made from the show will be donated to the American Red Cross, which will in turn transfer the money to the International Red Cross. From there it will be distributed to people in the Middle-east most affected by the war.

Robby Irawan, chairman of Music, World & Peace, says choosing the bands was one of the most interesting challenges of the organizing process, mainly due to the hosting venue — Collegiate Wesley Church, 130 S. Sheldon Ave.

Irawan, senior in computer science and management information systems, received some early resistance from other members of the planning committee because they thought the metal/punk styles might not be suitable for the church atmosphere.

But Irawan and Hadiwinata, both members of Band Eight, have followed the progress of these bands in the local scene, and were determined to prove preconceived notions wrong by asking them to be part of the event.

“I would like to open people’s minds that these type of bands or music can also do social work,” Irawan explains. “And playing in the church, in my opinion, is morally permissible.”

Irawan hopes to introduce these bands to international students who aren’t familiar with the local music scene.

Entertainment and fun are definitely high priorities for Irawan, Hadiwinata and the rest of the organizers of Music, World & Peace, but ultimately, the music serves as a vehicle for uniting people, and helping those who have been ravaged by war.

“This event is very important for us because this is a message from all of us in our community that we care about people from other side of the globe,” Hadiwinata says. “By doing this show, we should be proud of ourselves as part of Ames community.”

“There are number of nations and a number of people who are less fortunate and are in dire need,” Irawan adds. “Our goal is to open awareness to the society of the real problems that riddle our world today.”

What: “Music, World & Peace”

Where: Collegiate Wesley Church, 130 S. Sheldon Ave.

When: 7 p.m. Saturday

Cost: $7