Nawa Band Concert: Ancient Sufi Invocations & Forgotten Songs from Aleppo

Experience the rich musical and devotional heritage of Aleppo through a performance by the acclaimed Nawa Band. Drawing on the city's centuries-old traditions of dhikr and muwashshaḥāt, this concert presents a selection of musical suites rooted in Aleppo’s living oral musical tradition in Syria, weaving together poetry, melody and spiritual remembrance, and celebrating one of the Islamic world's most enduring living musical traditions. Led by Syrian musician and musicologist Ibrahim Muslimani. About the Nawa Band Founded in Aleppo in 2009 by Ibrahim Muslimani, Nawa Band is dedicated to researching, documenting and bringing to life the rich musical heritage of Syria, with a particular focus on muwashshahāt, qudūd and the inherited chapters (fuṣūl) of dhikr. Drawing on historical sources alongside traditions preserved through oral transmission, the ensemble brings together distinguished musicians and vocalists to restore forgotten or misrepresented repertoire with artistic integrity, historical awareness and deep respect for its spiritual character. Through performances internationally, Nawa presents this heritage not as folklore of the past, but as a living musical tradition connecting memory, practice and contemporary audiences. About The Cambridge Festival of Islamic Arts The Cambridge Festival of Islamic Arts runs from 19 to 29 November 2026, bringing performances, exhibitions, lectures, and workshops to Cambridge's historic colleges, museums, and cultural spaces. Open to everyone, the festival celebrates the beauty and diversity of Islamic arts, and, fifty years on from the landmark 1976 World of Islam Festival, carries that spirit into our own time. Find out more at cfia.co.uk.