When the Pakistani qawwali singer Mahmoud Sabri took the stage at our Sufi Centre in Ludwigshafen, the hall resonated with longing for the Divine. With Imam Sheikh Jamaluddin, often called the “Imam of the New Ottomans,” present and Ayberk Efendi as host, the evening became a living dialogue between Ottoman mysticism and South Asian devotional music.
Sabri’s voice rose with the refrain “Ya Mustafa,” weaving Persian, Urdu and Turkish inflections into a single chant, accompanied by tabla and harmonium and inviting quiet remembrance (dhikr) from all present. Between songs, Sheikh Jamaluddin reflected briefly on how sound can become a vessel for dhikr, recalling the Prophet’s ﷺ appreciation for music that lifts the heart towards Allah. Ayberk Efendi added anecdotes from Ottoman poetry, drawing parallels between the devotion of the Turkish ashiks and the intensity of qawwali.
Longtime friends of Ottoman heritage and newcomers drawn by Sufi music shared the evening together, showing how different expressions of the mystical path come together when rooted in sincere devotion.
We thank Mahmoud Sabri for his voice, Imam Sheikh Jamaluddin for his inspiring presence and Ayberk Efendi for his hospitality. To stay connected with future gatherings of the Royal Ottoman Society, join our community: https://enderun.royalottomans.com/feed
