Twelve inspiring and talented artists from across the Middle East and Central Asia performed a beautiful and thought-provoking concert at the Ismaili Centre, Dubai recently. Mirroring the diversity of the musicians was an audience captivated by the performance.

“Everybody should see this,” said an awestruck Andrew Gibbs, Headteacher at the Dubai English Speaking College. Heads nodded and feet tapped in unison with the lively, upbeat and hopeful music. The musicians too were listening and watched one another in admiration, as they learnt from each other.

The opportunity to witness a musical conversation between Central Asian and Middle Eastern cultures and languages is rare. It was an important occasion for both the Ismaili Centre and the Aga Khan Music Initiative, intent on bridging cross-cultural gulfs that have existed for the past hundred years.

Created in 2000 by Mawlana Hazar Imam, the Aga Khan Music Initiative aims to support Middle Eastern and Central Asian musicians and communities in sustaining, developing and transmitting their important musical heritage.

Renowned artist Charbel Rouhana was the music director for Remix 2011. Prime Vision Studios

Once upon a time, trade routes – criss-crossing the Afro-Eurasian landmass in a network known as the Silk Road – facilitated exchange across these diverse cultures. In recent centuries the traditional routes faded, having been replaced by new spheres of influence in trade and culture. The Aga Khan Music Initiative is reconnecting East with East –more difficult in some ways than bridging East with West.

“It is my first time in Dubai,” says Abdallah Abo Kekry shyly. The young musician from Egypt, plays the saz, a type of long-necked lute that is shared amongst various cultures in the Eastern Mediterranean, Near East, and Central Asia. “The spirit here was very good. It was a big learning experience for me about different cultures which I will take back with me to my country.”

Charbel Rouhana from Lebanon plays the oud and directed the concert. “This concert has made us richer. Instead of staying in our own bubbles, each one of us has had the opportunity to know each other's cultures, music, and instruments, and learn from one another. I will take so much home from this experience.”

His Highness Sheikh Juma bin Maktoum Al Maktoum, a prominent member of Dubai's ruling family, admired the entire performance, and together with His Excellency Khalid Al Kamda, Head of the Community Development Authority, was among the notable attendees at the concert. Guests from the diplomat, business and music communities were also present.

His Highness Sheikh Juma bin Maktoum Al Maktoum, His Excellency Khalid Al Kamda, Ismaili Council President Naushad Rashid, and other prominent guests from the diplomat, business and music communities took in the Aga Khan Music Initiative concert held at the Ismaili Centre, Dubai. Prime Vision Studios

Promoting a search for mutual understanding and building bridges amongst communities of diverse backgrounds are key objectives of the Ismaili Centre. “The fusion of cultures and music was great,” says Preeti Pawani, one of many who took in the concert. “The Ismaili Centre, Dubai was the perfect platform for this conversation. I sensed a true understanding between the musicians.”

“The event shed a welcome light on the Ismaili Centre, Dubai,” commented Naushad Rashid, President of the Ismaili Council for the United Arab Emirates, who received numerous messages of praise following the concert, for both the performance and event organisation. “I am extremely proud of our volunteers who worked seamlessly to help create a unforgettable evening for the guests,” he added.

Mingling in the courtyard of the Ismaili Centre prior to the concert, guests expressed their admiration. Mrs Neri, who was visiting from Switzerland said: “the architecture is marvellous. So much attention has been paid to detail, yet it is very understated. The Aga Khan has done a great deal for the re-birth of Islamic architecture.”

At the signing of an agreement in Ottawa in March 2006, establishing the Global Centre for Pluralism, Mawlana Hazar Imam described how he had come to “appreciate the importance of pluralism in ever-expanding ways.”

Remix 2011 artists bring magic to a musical evening at the Ismaili Centre, Dubai. Prime Vision Studios

“A commitment to pluralism comes as no accident,” said Hazar Imam. “For pluralism, in essence, is a deliberate set of choices that a society must make if it is to avoid costly conflict and harness the power of its diversity in solving human problems.”

That the Aga Khan Music Initiative was able to stage such a rare and delightful conversation at the Ismaili Centre, Dubai was certainly no accident either.