Although Eid ul-Fitr will be different this year, it will remain an occasion for celebration, gratitude, and coming together, virtually. In this spirit, The Ismaili TV is pleased to host Shukrana: Celebration of Eid, a multi-day musical extravaganza featuring Ismaili music artists from across the world.
Earlier this month, The Ismaili team invited submissions to participate in the event, which attracted an overwhelming response from solo artists and groups, including some of the very best talent within the worldwide Jamat. Most of the content has been exclusively recorded from the artists’ homes, and draws on the diverse influences and traditions of the worldwide Ismaili community.
“When the opportunity to take part in the concert arose, our initial thought was ‘how are we going to do this - to create something virtually?’” said Fahreen Virani of the Ismaili Community Ensemble (ICE) in the UK. “We are really pleased with the outcome, and extremely excited to be performing with ICE on this platform, alongside fellow Ismaili artists, and what better way to celebrate Eid at home!”
The Shukrana Concert will play host to recognisable solo artists and singers from the Jamat including Taufiq Karmali, Farah Mitha, Farhan Shah, Saba Rawjani, Chorshanbe Alovatov, and Shaheena Karim. Groups such as the Sufistics (USA), the Pamoja Ensemble (Kenya), Khayal (UK), and the Shams Band (Tajikistan) will also feature across the three days.
Irfan Sheen, from Gilgit-Baltistan, now residing the USA, will perform along with his band, Fitoor, and said, “We are thrilled to be performing in front of the global Jamat. The concert is a great initiative to support emerging Ismaili artists, and bring the community together during these trying times, and also a perfect opportunity to give thanks on the occasion of Eid.”
The concert is centred on the theme of shukrana. The root word shukr denotes thankfulness and gratitude in a number of languages, including Arabic, Farsi, Urdu, and Hindi. This Eid, we express our special appreciation to the healthcare professionals and volunteers serving the Jamat and wider society everyday.
The Ismaili welcomes you to this online celebration of Eid, when we will join on 24, 25, and 26 May to give thanks and celebrate as One Jamat, together at home.
