Sufi Music Proves a Heart-Warming Experience for LA Audience
Pictures by YKKB
The US tour of A MYSTICAL JOURNEY: Sufi Music and other Expressions of Devotion from the Muslim World, premiered in Los Angeles on March 8, 2008 with subsequent performances planned for San Francisco, Miami, Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, and New York.
The audience found “A Mystical Journey” a heart-warming experience in which world renowned artists from across the globe uplifted them through different musical and mystical traditions.
Music and dance, in a variety of forms, have been used to express love and devotion to God in many Muslim countries. This concert tour brought together over sixty artists from six countries, performing music pieces, including qawwali's, ilahis, kalams, contemporary songs and dance performances by whirling Sufis, who took the audience on an inspirational and unforgettable journey of the mind, body, and soul.
Some of the visiting world class performers in "A Mystical Journey" were: The Dalahoo Sufi Ensemble from IranChoir Hazreti Hamza from Bosnia, Tahleelah from Syria, Rizwan Khan, nephew of the late Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, from Pakistan, Salman Ahmad from Pakistan, Sain Zahoor from Pakistan, and Houria Aichi from Algeria.
Whether bringing listeners closer to the Divine, sustaining cultural memory through epic tales, or strengthening the bonds of community through festivity and celebration, musicians are central to the cultural life of Muslims throughout the world, something not commonly understood or appreciated.
A MYSTICAL JOURNEY is an international initiative sponsored by the Ismaili Council for USA to commemorate the Golden Jubilee of His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan as the Imam (spiritual leader) of the Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims.
The Ismaili Muslims are a community of ethnically and culturally diverse peoples living in over 25 countries around the world, united in their allegiance to the Aga Khan as the 49th hereditary Imam and direct descendant of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
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