Eid at Fed Square

All are welcome to come to celebrate Eid at Fed Square, with an evening of Sufi music performed by internationally renowned Qawwali musicians.

Back by popular demand this Eid, Fareed Ayaz, Abu Muhammed and their ensemble comprised of three generations of family, return to perform an exclusive free concert of Sufi devotional music, known as Qawwali.

We welcome all who celebrate Eid, as well as all members of the public interested in experiencing this unique live music performance of world-class Qawwali music.

The Qawwali music weaves together hypnotic vocals rich in poetic and mystical symbolism, which will be performed and led by the brothers, which is supported by special instruments: harmonium, tabla and dholak, as well as handclapping.

Travelling from Pakistan for this exclusive concert in celebration of Eid, the brothers will be supported by local Melbourne-based musicians.

The evening will also include:

– Salammobile Rumi installation, by artist Sohail Yamin. This is a colourfully painted car featuring messages of peace and compassion, inspired by 13th century poet and Islamic scholar, Jalaluddin Rumi
– Free Henna art
– Food trucks serving Middle Eastern and Balkan cuisine and drinks including Somali tea

About the artists:

Pakistani musicians Fareed Ayaz, Abu Muhammad and ensemble are among the world’s finest exponents of Qawwali – a hypnotic, vocal-driven form of Sufi devotional music. Their group is led by powerful vocalists who loop through multiple verse-chorus sequences.

Fareed Ayaz leads the group with his brother Abu Muhammad, while three generations of family members form the rest of the musical ensemble. Fareed and Abu were taught by their father, the esteemed Ustad Munshi Raziuddin, who hails from the Qawwal Bachchon Ka gharana, a tradition founded by Amir Khusrow students in 14th-century Delhi.

The group tour and perform to vast crowds all around the world, produce film music, make special appearances in international events, such as the BBC Proms at Royal Albert Hall in 2017, and were awarded the Pride of Performance Award by the President of Pakistan in 2020.

Presented by Fed Square and SalamFest.