In honour of the Diamond Jubilee year, the Jubilee Concerts initiative consists of a series of global concerts 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.
The Jubilee concerts series provides a global 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 also serve as an awareness-raising series of events, to introduce various genres of music to both younger and older members of the Jamat.
Leading professional solo artists and groups from South and Central Asia and the Middle East have been selected to perform at various cities across the globe, by invitation of the respective National Councils. Musical performances may include devotional, mystical, and popular genres, influenced by the diverse traditions and heritage of the worldwide Ismaili community.
Speaking about performing in the US, Salim Merchant reflected “We had a fantastic time in America… Jubilee concerts have been such an amazing celebration, and we really had such a wonderful time bringing communities together and celebrating the Diamond Jubilee.”
Addressing the artists who performed, Dr. Barkat Fazal, President of the National Council for the USA, remarked that the concerts had the “ability to elevate the spirit of those who attended (the) concerts and inspiring the youth… Your performances and workshops have catalysed the continued celebration of Mawlana Hazar Imam’s Diamond Jubilee across the country.” He went on to state “(you) have helped ignite a spark in young Ismailis to dream big and pursue their aspirations in the performing arts at a professional, world class level.”
The USA tour concluded in Houston on September 9 in the open-air Constellation Field, following the large-scale flooding experienced in Texas in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey. Volunteers worked tirelessly to prepare the arena in just a few days, after the original venue was used to house flood evacuees. All of the proceeds from the Houston concert were allocated towards Hurricane Harvey relief efforts in Texas and the surrounding region.
Forthcoming venues for the Jubilee Concerts series will include: Moscow, Russia; Dhaka, Bangladesh; and Mumbai, India, where Salim and Sulaiman will be joined by Tajik star Nobovar Chanorov. Further concerts are planned in Canada, East Africa and Australasia.
