• The Muslim Choral Ensemble on ‘An’Nur’ and Islamic spiritual music 

Today (2) marks the annual recital of the Muslim Choral Ensemble (MCE) of Sri Lanka. Taking place at the Lionel Wendt Theatre in Colombo at 7 p.m., this year’s recital ‘An’Nur’ promises to be an evening of profound cultural resonance, celebrating the rich heritage, symphony of devotion, and transformative essence of Islamic spiritual tradition. MCE Founder and Executive Director Haadia Galely shared that this year would see the ensemble perform as an entirely Sri Lankan choir. 

The MCE was initiated in August 2017 by Galely with Prof. André de Quadros serving as Artistic Director and supported by vocal coach Manoj Sanjeewa. Galely shared that, at present, the MCE was the only ensemble of its kind, certainly in the region and potentially globally, providing a platform for Muslim singers to present an Islamic spiritual repertoire.

Building a platform for Islamic choral music

Inspired by spiritual recitation practised through the ages in the Islamic world, a vision was born to form an inclusive male and female choir embracing various Muslim and non-Muslim communities, both national and international. 

Galely sat down with The Sunday Morning Brunch for a chat on her motivations for showcasing the immense talent she knows exists within the community. “Because of regular Qur’anic recitations, boys and girls develop this beautiful tone to their voices,” she said, adding however that there were misconceptions to consider. 

“Due to misconceptions, they say that music is prohibited in Islam, and with this in mind, we have to be sensitive to those areas as well. Keeping that aside, I thought, what if I create this platform for Muslim boys and girls but also open it up for other faiths as well?”

Muslim choral music came to Galely when she noticed that Muslims, especially locally and as adults, lacked a choral platform. Even schoolchildren moved out of choirs they joined in school, mainly because of the misconception of music being haram, or forbidden, by the tenets of Islam. 

In a previous interview with Brunch, Galely expanded on public perception and Islamic choral music, saying: “It’s a very personal thing. Some people don’t even know why they consider music to be haram. I asked questions because I was willing to be informed on it in order to learn something if I didn’t know. 

“Music has a message. It’s the connotation of what you sing and how you sing it. Hawala, Qasidas, Nasheeds – they’re all in praise of God. I decided that was the path I was going to take, to create a platform where Islamic spirituals and devotional music can shine and that embraces all the different styles of such music. You can compare it to gospel music; there’s not much difference.” 

Addressing inclusivity within spiritual music and how she had shaped the trajectory of the MCE for today, Galely said: “My daughter sang for the Merry An Singers in church as a Muslim because she was interested and curious about interfaith, and it didn’t matter to us. In a similar vein, I welcome non-Muslims in my choir. We had only two people initially at the auditions, but as it is with things in life, it grew.”

Galely also shared that the purpose of this undertaking was “to reach out and spread a message of peace and harmony through performing works from a rich global Islamic heritage, and to innovate on traditional oral work with modern techniques and compositions”. She added that, as always, diversity was to be celebrated through a repertoire consisting of Islamic spirituals that included Zikr, Nasheeds, Qasidas, and Qawwali in various languages.

Elaborating further, Galely noted that the ensemble intended to foster a world where Islamic spirituals would resonate globally, transcending borders and cultural divides, and uniting hearts in a chorus of peace, understanding, and solidarity. She added that their presentations were rich “with its unique role in celebrating and safeguarding the richness of Muslim culture and history, aspiring to create pathways towards promoting unity”. 

“Our vision is a world where voices join in harmony, echoing the values of love, compassion, and respect, creating a symphony of cultural integration and mutual respect,” said Galely. Additionally, she emphasised that their goal was “to perform songs from the Muslim world while training and performing at the highest artistic level through fostering individual development, collaboration, and intercultural relationships”. 

The origins of the MCE

The MCE is dedicated to the performing arts through the genre of Islamic spiritual renditions. Audiences may recall the ‘Sama International Choral Festival 2023,’ which took place from 24 to 30 July last year under the auspices of the MCE. 

Galely shared that this residency, a collaboration of local and international artists, had occurred in Sri Lanka and included a series of performances, events, and opportunities to engage through culture-sharing and collective music-making sessions. She noted that this had been a bold step in bringing together Muslims and non-Muslims to engage in various unique choral traditions from around the world and breathe new life into this genre of choral music.

Addressing the possibility of a reprise of the ‘Sama International Choral Festival,’ Galely noted that the challenges were quite immense. “That type of collaboration was a stretch of our capacities, given that the MCE is a non-profit,” she explained. 

“We are a passionate group who wish to introduce younger generations to this beautifully profound cultural resonance. However, there was a significant challenge in obtaining support from Sri Lankan officials.” This, she lamented, was an age-old tale heard by visionaries around the island, all of whom had attempted to do something new and innovative only to find that the State somehow put a damper on their passions and discouraged them.

Regardless, the MCE has decided to host ‘An’Nur’ this year, and Galely noted that it would be quite different in that it transcended mere performance to be a heartfelt homage to Sri Lanka’s vibrant Islamic culture. She shared that they would be showcasing performances of ancient Islamic pieces, Qasidas, Zikr recitations, quotations, and Sufi styles, weaving together a collection of renditions that resonated deeply with the soul of Islamic spirituality.

At the IMRA Awards 2024, Galely was recognised for her pioneering work, being awarded for excellence in arts and culture. Her work has highlighted how Islamic spirituals have bridged cultural divides and fostered understanding and respect for others. 

She founded the first Muslim Choral Ensemble in 2017, followed by the World Muslim Choral Ensemble (WMCE) in 2022. The latter saw choristers and instrumentalists from India, Iran, Pakistan, the US, and Sri Lanka come together to perform and learn together in a residency in July 2022 at the height of fuel shortages and other restrictions brought about by the economic crisis. However, the support received from partners and donors allowed the inauguration of the WMCE to take place as planned. 

Speaking about her accolades and recognition despite the many challenges she has faced, Galely noted that what this recognition underscored most for her was the potential for positive change and the importance of celebrating our unique differences by coming together. It is this unified diversity that she has continued to showcase through the MCE’s presentations so far. Today’s ‘An’Nur’ is also a continuation of what they have always intended to do. 

One surprise this year is a presentation by a collective of madrassa boys. “A lot of the religious practices you see have faded out because of a holding back of what is permitted and what is not permitted. In a very subtle way, we have brought those practices onto the stage and are leaving it to the audience to figure these out for themselves,” she said.

‘An’Nur’: Unity and respect through melody

The MCE’s performance this year follows the theme ‘An’Nur’ and draws inspiration from the ancient roots of Arab traders in the 7th century and how they have shaped the dynamic mosaic of modern society. It also highlights that the Muslims of Sri Lanka have long been stewards of a vibrant cultural legacy. ‘An’Nur’ is a testament to their enduring influence, weaving together a mesmerising array of meticulously-curated Islamic pieces, Qasidas, Zikr recitations, and Sufi styles.

However, the ensemble’s journey is not just about melodies; it is about fostering a sense of unity and respect. With a firm commitment to inclusivity, the ensemble exemplifies unity in diversity. Its dedication to preserving Islamic cultural traditions while embracing its members’ diverse backgrounds underscores its unwavering respect for heritage and mutual understanding, ensuring everyone feels valued and respected.

Info box:

• ‘An’Nur’ by the Muslim Choral Ensemble takes place today (2) at 7 p.m. at the Lionel Wendt Theatre, Colombo 7
• Tickets priced at Rs. 2,500, Rs. 1,500, and Rs. 500 are now available on Mytickets.lk
• For inquiries, call Sajeda on +94 77 735 3002 or visit www.muslimchoralensemble.com