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Episode details

Radio 3,2 mins

The musicians defying IS terrorists

Sunday Feature

Available for over a year

Pakistani Sufi musicians, their promoters and followers have faced a deadly wave of violence in recent years. Several traditional Dhamaal (music and dance) ceremonies at Sufi shrines have targeted by terrorists, including those from so-called Islamic State. Some musicians have even been forced to restrict their performances to private, high-security venues - but the music will not be silenced. In this clip, Radio 3 presenter Lopa Kothari meets musicians from a qawwali group based at the Mian Meeri shrine in Lahore, who describe the “spiritual ecstasy” of their music-making and express defiance towards those who seek to destroy their ancient tradition. Later on, Lopa speaks with three Islamic clerics who give their take on the much-debated role of music in Islam, and meets one of the world's foremost Sufi musicians, Abida Parveen. Click through to the Radio 3 documentary, Music in Peril, to hear more.

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