RAWALPINDI: The Rawalpindi Arts Council (RAC) hosted a ‘Sufi Musical Night’ on Saturday in connection with the 70th Independence Day.

PML-N MPAs Raja Hanif and Lubna Rehan Pirzada were the chief guests at the event.

Singers at the concert included Qurban Niazi, Ghulam Abbas Farasat, Maria Kanwal and Aqdas Hashmi. The first performance was by Ghulam Abbas Farasat who sang a song he had written himself. The audience particularly enjoyed performances by Aqdas Hashmi and Maria Kanwal.

Qurban Niazi received thunderous applause. The songs he performed included the works of Bulleh Shah as well. His melodic vocals added vibrancy to the night. He would explain the lyrics before he sang a song.

Mr Niazi said Sufi poetry promotes love and peace. He said people should learn more about Sufi poetry in order to promote peace. Sufis gave the message of serving humanity without differentiation, he said.

MPA Hanif said singers and artists were an asset to the country and that they create a soft image of the country abroad and also inform the world about our traditions and values. He said peace was possible by following the teachings of Sufi saints.

RAC Resident Director Waqar Ahmed said the Sufi musical night was hosted in order to spread the message of peace and tolerance which was much needed in present times.

Published in Dawn, August 7th, 2017