By Cultural Reporter
LAHORE — The Lahore Arts Council (Alhamra), under the Punjab Information and Culture Department, has released the full schedule for the first-ever three-day Alhamra Sufi Festival 2025, set to begin on November 28.
The festival will open with a calligraphy exhibition titled “Whirling Lines of Sufi Wisdom.” Day one will feature an intellectual session on the life and teachings of renowned Sufi scholar Wasif Ali Wasif, titled “Youth’s Intellectual Challenges and Wasif Ali Wasif.” Speakers include Sahibzada Kashif Mahmood, Dr. Waseem Ullah Shaheen, Qasim Ali Shah, Iftikhar Ali Aafi and Dr. Affan, moderated by Noor-ul-Hassan. Ajanta Theatre’s play “Maqsood-e-Kul Mein Hoon!” will also be staged.
Day two will host a major discussion, “Punjabi Sufi Poetry: Tradition and Message for the Youth,” featuring Dr. Sughra Sadaf, Dr. Imdad Hussain, Dr. Zakriya Zakir, Nain Sukh and Yousuf Punjabi, moderated by Afzal Sahir. The day will include Sufi dance by Yousuf Punjabi and a Sufi Night headlined by renowned vocalist Tahseen Sakina.
The final day will feature the session “The Social Impact of Sufism and Its Relevance for Today’s Youth,” with panelists Fahad Ali Kazmi, Dr. Tariq Shareef Zada, Dr. Waqar Yousuf Azeemi and Dr. Moeen Nizami, moderated by Dr. Fatima Fayyaz. The evening will include soulful Sufi music by Riaz Ali Qadri and Ghulam Ali Qadri, along with a mesmerising dervish dance performance by Versatile Group.
One of the festival’s most anticipated segments will be the Qawwali Night, where renowned qawwal Sher Miandad and his ensemble will take audiences on a spiritual journey.
Visitors will also enjoy a book fair, food stalls and various cultural activities throughout the three days.
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