What are the Jubilee Concerts?

In honour of the Diamond Jubilee year, the Jubilee Concerts initiative was planned as a series of global events featuring artists of international calibre and stature. Drawing upon musical influences from a variety of genres, the concerts complement the spirit and significance of the Diamond Jubilee commemoration of Mawlana Hazar Imam. Jubilee Concerts is pleased to announce that it has organised two concerts as part of the Diamond Jubilee Celebration in Lisbon.

Over the past 12 months, Jubilee concerts have been hosted in a number of countries across the globe. These have provided an international platform for the various Jamats around the world — and the communities in which they live — to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee through the medium of music. The concerts have served as an awareness-raising series of events, to introduce various musical genres to both younger and older members of the Jamat.

What is the first concert about?

In Lisbon this July, the week-long celebrations will commence with a Jubilee Concert on 05 July entitled “Kings of Rhythm,” featuring internationally renowned artists Cheb Khaled and the dynamic duo of Vishal-Shekhar. Cheb Khaled, or simply “Khaled,” is an Algerian-born Francophone artist who has entertained millions of fans globally with legendary songs such as C’est la vie and Didi, the latter performed at the opening ceremony of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. Khaled is one of the best-selling Arab artists in history.

Vishal-Shekhar are one of Bollywood’s most entertaining music directors and artists. Vishal Dadlani is regarded as one of the pioneers of original Indian independent music. Shekhar Ravjiani is a classical singer trained under Ustad Niaz Ahmed Khan. The combination of Khaled and Vishal-Shekhar brings to Lisbon an unparalleled evening of musical performance that will set the celebratory mood for the week-long historic celebration.

Is the second concert different from the first?

On 10 July, Jubilee Concerts will present “Sufi Voyage,” its closing concert featuring the “King of Qawwali” Ustad Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, and the musical talents of Salim-Sulaiman, in a specially curated atmosphere coming together in a must-see performance that will include Bollywood, folk, popular songs, and Qawwali – a devotional music style of Muslim mystics. Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, nephew of the late legendary Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, is also known for his playback songs in the Bollywood and Pakistani film industry.

Salim-Sulaiman were inspired by their father Sadruddin Merchant, who previously led the Ismaili Scouts Orchestra in India. Salim-Sulaiman have composed music for over a decade and have collaborated with South African singer Loyiso Bala and Kenyan singer and songwriter Eric Wainaina to record the anthem for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. This unique combination of artists will be joined by one of Tajikistan’s foremost musicians, Nobovar Chanorov, whose band is known as the Beatles of Tajikistan. This unprecedented combination of Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, Salim-Sulaiman, and Nobovar will mark the completion of the year-long Jubilee Concerts.    

Where and when will they be held?

The Kings of Rhythm concert will be held on 5 July and the Sufi Voyage concert will be held on 10 July, both at the Altice Arena in Lisbon. Tickets for both Jubilee Concerts can be purchased here: jubilee.blueticket.pt.