Ajmer set to host first global Sufi fest

Qawwali, ghazals, discussions and Sufi music will be offered at the first edition of the International Sufi Festival in Ajmer, Rajasthan.

Mumbai: Qawwali, ghazals, discussions and Sufi music will be offered at the first edition of the International Sufi Festival Oct 21-27 in Ajmer, Rajasthan.

The week-long event will bring together Sufi artists from countries like Britain, Pakistan, Egypt and France with an aim to capture and project the spirit of Sufism. "I want to bring about the true message of Sufism globally where the core belief and practice is nothing but the acceptance of each other without the barrier of religion," festival director Gulshaa Begum told reporters. "The core intention is to awaken the spirit of brotherhood, togetherness, thoughtfulness, selflessness and oneness which alone can make life in the world successful. It will revive the message Sufi saint Hazrath Khwaja Moinuddin Chishty," she added. The event is organised by Divine Abode in collaboration with the Interfaith Foundation, the India and Kashmir Society, the International center for Kashmir Sufism and the International Sufi Festival India. "International artists from Britain, Pakistan, Egypt and France will perform at the festival." Why Ajmer? "Ajmer is the centre for Sufism, spirituality, art and culture. It is the fortunate city, chosen by Hazrath Khwaja Moinuddin Chishty to spread the message of love, peace and oneness globally," said Gulshaa. IANS