A MYSTICAL JOURNEY: Sufi Music and other Expressions of Devotion from the Muslim World, premiers in Vancouver on October 14th with subsequent Canadian performances in Edmonton , Calgary , Toronto and Montreal .
Over 60 artists and musicians from various parts of the Muslim world (Algeria, Bosnia, Pakistan, Iran and Syria) will take the audience on a musical journey of the mind, body and soul, enlightening as well as entertaining through various music pieces, including qawalli's, ilahis, kalams, and contemporary songs, with dance performances by whirling Sufis.
Diamond Tharani, National Project Manager for the Canadian tour explained: "This will be a spectacular show with each of the 9 groups involved being world class performers in their own right".
He added "Music and musicians play a vital role throughout the Muslim world. From Indonesia, through South and Central Asia, the Middle East, North Africa and Europe, music serves not only as entertainment for various Muslim communities, but also as a way to express devotion and reinforce common values and traditions".
Some of the visiting world class performers in "A Mystical Journey" are:
The Dalahoo Sufi Ensemble, from Iran which has performed in many Sufi festivals around the world including those in Turkey (Konya at the Mevlana International Sufi Concert), India, Pakistan, Switzerland, UAE, United Kingdom, and USA.
Choir Hazreti Hamza, from Bosnia , who perform in Naqshibendi - a tradition of Sufi music, and have toured in Croatia , Pakistan , Turkey , Germany and Switzerland .
Tahleelah, from Syria who are lead by Sheikh Hamzeh Chakour, the choir master at the Great Mosque in Damascus and one of the foremost performers of Arab vocal music.
Goonga and Mithu Sain, percussionists from Pakistan , whose hypnotic sound sets the stage for whirling Sufi dancers.
Rizwan and Muazzam Khan, harmonium and tabla players from Pakistan , who are nephews of the late Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan.
Salman Ahmad, from Pakistan who founded South Asia 's biggest rock band, Junoon, selling over 25 million albums worldwide. He has performed at the United Nations General Assembly and been appointed a United Nations Goodwill Ambassador on HIV/AIDS.
Sain Zahoor, a traveling folk singer from Pakistan whose musical abilities have received international acclaim including a BBC World Music Award in 2006.
Houria Aichi from Algeria who performs chaoui music which is rooted in the Berber traditions of North Africa .
Khursheed Nurali, Shamshu Jamal, Taufiq Karmali and Nimet Jamal, from Pakistan and Canada , famous for their melodious and passionate renditions of devotional poetry in various musical forms.
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.
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The schedule of performances will be as follows:
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Sunday, October 14 Vancouver Centre for Performing Arts
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Wednesday, October 17 Edmonton Winspear Centre in the presence of
Prince Hussain and Princess Khaliya
Aga Khan
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Saturday, October 20 Calgary Stampede Corral
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Sunday, November 4 Toronto Roy Thomson Hall
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Monday, November 5 Montreal Place des Arts, Théâtre Maisonneuve
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A MYSTICAL JOURNEY is an international initiative commemorating 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).
For further information: Dr. Iqbal Ahmed, (604) 218-7864; Sheherazade Hirji, (416) 560-2447; Amir Karim, (514) 574-3754; www.theismaili.org/amj