Bab El Makina with the sounds of Pakistani Qawwali

Fez – The powerful voices and captivating rhythms of Pakistani qawwali resonated Sunday evening at the historic Bab El Makina, during a concert performed by the Mushtaq Ensemble, as part of the 18th Fes Festival of Sufi Culture and World Wisdom.

Dedicated to spirituality and mystical poetry, this evening invited the audience to immerse themselves in the world of Sufi chanting from the Indian subcontinent, where music becomes the language of divine love and a vehicle for inner elevation.

The concert notably paid tribute to the Pakistani poet and philosopher Muhammad Iqbal, whose texts reflect on the human condition, the renewal of Muslim thought, and the spiritual quest.

“The message of qawwali is to present the spiritual and mystical side of Islam, which constitutes its very heart,” explained Shuaïb Aftab Ahmad Mushtaq, the ensemble’s artistic director, emphasizing the vocation of this musical expression to bring humanity closer to God.

Originating in the Indian subcontinent, qawwali draws on a multilingual poetic repertoire, nourished in particular by Arabic, Punjabi, Urdu, and Sindhi. The term derives from the Arabic word “qawl,” meaning “word,” he specified, noting that this tradition uses sung poetry as a means of meditation and the transmission of spiritual teachings.

The artist also highlighted the openness of this repertoire to different traditions, citing the performance, at the end of the concert, of the poem “Al-Burda,” composed by Imam Al-Busiri. Originating from the Arab world, this work, according to him, testifies to qawwali’s capacity to incorporate texts from diverse cultural and spiritual backgrounds.

The tribute to Mohammed Iqbal was one of the evening’s highlights. For Hubaïb Mushtaq, in charge of the literary component of the ensemble, the choice of this poet and philosopher reflects a desire to keep alive a thought that calls for the awakening of consciousness and the renewal of reflection.

“We choose many of Iqbal’s poems, as he is part of our daily life, both in religious and philosophical teachings,” he explained, emphasizing the quest for an enlightened Islam, lived both inwardly and in action.

Beyond the musical dimension, the concert also illustrated a story of family transmission. The Mushtaq Ensemble brings together four brothers, their children, and nephews, continuing a legacy passed down by their father, Mushtaq Ahmad Awân Hazarvi.

“He instilled in us a love of literature, Sufism, and music,” explained Hubaïb Mushtaq, referring to his father’s role in teaching them poems and helping them understand their meanings. The musical structure is based on a dialogue between the literary work and the choice of the ‘maqam,’ a musical mode that allows for the expression of the nuances and intention of the poetic text.

Representing the seventh generation of the Gwalior Gharana vocal tradition and the fifth generation of the Talwandi Gharana, the group perpetuates a centuries-old heritage at the crossroads of Sufi chant, qawwali, and khayal, a classical form of art music from the Indian subcontinent.

The 18th Fes Festival of Sufi Culture and World Wisdom, which opened Saturday evening at Bab El Makina with the performance “Paths of Spiritual Love,” continues until October 24th under the theme “Mystical Poetry, Elixir of Healing.”

Held under the High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, this edition aims to make Fes a meeting place for Moroccan spiritual heritage and world wisdom, exploring the role of poetry, music, and beauty in healing wounds and fostering cultural understanding.

The program gives significant prominence to Moroccan Sufi traditions, with several evenings of samaa dedicated to the Qadiriyya Boutchichiya, Charqawiya, Ouazzaniya, Rissouniya, and Sqalliya Sufi orders, while also embracing other spiritual expressions from around the world.