Cairo (TDI): Pakistan made a striking cultural impression at the 18th World Samaa International Festival for Chanting and Spiritual Music in Egypt, participating as an honorary guest at one of the region’s most renowned platforms for spiritual and devotional performance traditions.
Representing Pakistan, the Badr Ali and Bahadur Ali Qawwal Group delivered a captivating Qawwali performance before an audience that included diplomats, foreign visitors, and Egyptian attendees. Their mastery of classical Qawwali and powerful ensemble delivery earned sustained applause.
The Pakistan Embassy in Cairo, which facilitated the troupe’s participation, confirmed that the Qawwals will continue to perform throughout the festival from November 27 to 30, underscoring Pakistan’s commitment to showcasing its devotional music heritage on global stages.
Now in its 18th year, the festival has emerged as a significant international gathering for Sufi chanting, religious recitation, and spiritual music.
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The event brings together established practitioners of age-old musical traditions alongside contemporary interpretations of devotional expression.
With reciters, Sufi ensembles, and dervish dance groups from across the world, the festival offers a vibrant artistic landscape that fosters cross-cultural dialogue and a shared appreciation of spiritual performance arts.
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A highlight of this year’s program is the 11th edition of the interfaith dialogue segment, held under the theme “Here We Pray Together”. The segment encourages participating groups to explore common spiritual values while presenting their distinct traditions.
Organisers noted the festival’s expanding international reach and said this year’s participation reflects its evolution into a major fixture on the global spiritual arts calendar, celebrating Egypt’s cultural identity while providing a collaborative space for artistic exchange.
