Skip to content 
Search

Latest Stories

How qawwali star Hamza Akram is keeping 26 generations of family tradition alive

by ASJAD NAZIR

THE qawwali musical genre continues to power on more than 700 years after it was founded with exciting acts lighting up the live arena around the world, and the best of these are parts of long-running musical lineages that stretch back centuries.


Hamza Akram Qawwal & Brothers represent a 26th generation of Sufi artists and can trace their roots back to the very beginning.

The award-winning Pakistan-based ensemble is keeping the Sufi music tradition alive globally with live performances and by composing for films.

Eastern Eye caught up with Hamza Akram to find out more.

What was it that first connected you to music?

The connection I share with music is because of my family. I have witnessed classical music and qawwali from close up, so it is in my blood.

Who were your musical heroes growing up?

My grandfather (Munshi Raziuddin) is my real hero, but apart from that Ustad Fareed Ayaz Sahab has taught me a lot. There are so many others names, including legendary qawwals such as Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and among international favourites there are AR Rahman and Yanni. Whenever I work for a film, I try to take inspiration from them.

How do you look back on your musical journey?

I have struggled a lot throughout my musical journey because my voice wasn’t good. I worked a lot on my voice. My brothers and I have finally reached here, working at an international level. But there is still a long way to go.

What has been the highlight of your musical career?

The main highlights have been my international collaborations. Foreigners like my work a lot and whenever they want someone from Pakistan, they prefer us.

How much does it mean to you to perform live?

For me, performing live is the best. Nothing can beat the satisfaction of performing in front of a live audience – no matter how big or small – the feeling doesn’t  compare to anything else.

What has been your most memorable performance?

The most memorable performances are for the audience who have listened to my forefathers. I recently did the World Trance Festival and met someone who had promoted Robert Browning and had worked with my forefathers. It’s memorable when they listen to you and appreciate your work. It’s the best feeling ever.

How do you generate so much power in your voice?

My teachers have taught me so much! The power that you listen to in my voice is something I owe to them. My voice was really bad, but they worked on me. Sometimes, people say that my voice resembles Fareed Ayaz Sahab.

What are your future plans?

A lot of international tours are already lined up. I am going to America soon and my dates are already booked until April. The University of California invited me for a big event in the presence of select people on April 16. I aspire to work hard and hopefully win some awards.

What are your future hopes for qawwali?

I have a lot of hopes for qawwali. People used to prefer bands more, but now people are into qawwali too in Pakistan. Qawwali gets so much love from international singers. Many listeners prefer pop music, but now people prefer qawwali as well.

What is your own favourite qawwali of all time?

My all-time favourite is Man Kunto Maula because it’s the backbone of qawwali. There’s also poetry by Ameer Khusro and Maulana Rumi I love to sing as qawwali.

What inspires you as an artist?

I get inspired by everything beautiful, especially my family. I used to experiment with qawwali with jazz and house music. I also did qawwali with DJ Damian Lazarus.

Why do you love music?

I have loved music ever since I was a child because it’s in my blood. I am representing the 26th generation of my family, and it has been 800 years. I am into spiritual music, and my connection with music is pretty strong.

More For You

RSV vaccine premature babies

NHS England says premature babies are three times more likely to be hospitalised due to RSV

iStock

NHS to immunise premature babies against deadly winter virus RSV

Highlights

  • NHS to offer nirsevimab injection to 9,000 premature and high-risk babies from late September
  • Aims to protect against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), which can cause severe illness in infants
  • Premature babies are 10 times more likely to need intensive care for RSV
  • Nirsevimab offers immediate protection and lasts for six months
  • Neo-natal units across the UK will deliver the jab

Thousands of premature and high-risk babies in the UK will soon be offered a new immunisation to protect against RSV (respiratory syncytial virus), a common winter virus that can cause serious lung infections and hospitalisation. The NHS will begin delivering the nirsevimab injection from late September, aiming to shield vulnerable infants before the colder months set in.

Premature infants at higher risk from RSV

RSV typically causes coughs and colds, but in some children — particularly those born prematurely or with underlying health conditions — it can lead to bronchiolitis, pneumonia, and breathing difficulties. NHS England says premature babies are three times more likely to be hospitalised due to RSV and ten times more likely to require intensive care compared to full-term infants.

Keep ReadingShow less
Donald Trump health 2025

The diagnosis has prompted a wave of public attention

Getty Images

What is chronic venous insufficiency, the condition Donald Trump is diagnosed with?

Highlights

  • President Donald Trump has been diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), a vascular condition affecting blood flow in the legs
  • CVI occurs when leg veins struggle to return blood to the heart, often leading to swelling and discomfort
  • The condition was confirmed following visible leg swelling and bruising
  • Though not life-threatening, CVI can worsen without treatment
  • Trump’s case has sparked public interest in the risks and management of the condition

Trump diagnosed with common but chronic vein condition

President Donald Trump has been diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency, a condition that affects the proper circulation of blood in the legs. The announcement followed public speculation after Trump was seen with visible swelling in his lower legs and bruising on his hand during recent public appearances.

According to a statement from White House medical staff, tests ruled out more serious cardiovascular conditions. Trump, 79, remains under regular observation, with the condition described as benign and manageable.

Keep ReadingShow less
Queen Camilla

She is wearing a turquoise dress with a rainforest-themed print featuring monkeys, toucans, and lemurs

Getty Images

New photo released to celebrate Queen Camilla’s 78th birthday

Highlights

  • Queen Camilla turns 78 and is expected to celebrate privately at home
  • Official birthday portrait taken at Raymill House, Wiltshire
  • Outfit features rainforest-themed print; jewellery includes iconic diamond ring
  • Recent royal duties include state visits, Trooping the Colour, and military engagements
  • Appointed Vice Admiral of the UK on the same day

Queen Camilla marks birthday with relaxed countryside portrait

A new photograph of Queen Camilla has been released by Buckingham Palace to mark her 78th birthday. The image, captured by royal photographer Chris Jackson, shows the Queen leaning on a metal gate in a field at her private home, Raymill House, in Wiltshire.

She is wearing a turquoise dress with a rainforest-themed print featuring monkeys, toucans, and lemurs. Her accessories include gold drop earrings, her wedding band, a five-carat emerald-cut diamond engagement ring, and a distinctive gold ring composed of circular plaques.

Keep ReadingShow less
Babies born free of mitochondrial disease

8 babies have been born in the UK using genetic material from 3 people

iStock

Babies born free of mitochondrial disease using DNA from 3 people

Highlights

  • Eight babies were born in the UK using DNA from three individuals to prevent mitochondrial disease
  • The technique combines egg and sperm from parents with mitochondria from a donor egg
  • Legal in the UK since 2015; results show children are meeting expected milestones
  • One in 5,000 babies are born with mitochondrial disease; no known cure exists
  • Newcastle scientists pioneered the technique, now used under NHS specialist service

UK births mark milestone in preventing inherited mitochondrial disease

Eight babies have been born in the UK using genetic material from three people in a pioneering effort to prevent incurable mitochondrial disease, doctors have confirmed. The technique, developed by researchers in Newcastle, represents a significant breakthrough in reproductive medicine and genetic science.

These births are the first proven cases in the UK of healthy children being born free of devastating mitochondrial disorders thanks to this technique, which has been legal in the country since 2015.

Keep ReadingShow less
Sainsbury

The rollout is part of Sainsbury’s broader Nectar Prices strategy

iStock

Sainsbury’s brings personalised Nectar discounts to all checkouts

Highlights

  • Sainsbury’s will roll out Your Nectar Prices to physical checkouts nationwide from 25 July.
  • Scheme gives loyalty members access to personalised discounts based on shopping habits.
  • Over 17 billion tailored offers generated since launch; £60m saved by customers in the last year.
  • More than one million shoppers currently use the feature weekly.
  • Offers now available in-store, online, via app, and soon, at checkout.

Sainsbury's brings personalised loyalty savings directly to the tills

Sainsbury’s will extend its Your Nectar Prices programme to checkouts across the UK starting Friday, 25 July. The move allows Nectar members to receive personalised discounts directly at the tills for the first time, as part of the retailer’s continued investment in digital loyalty.

The supermarket has already issued over 17 billion tailored offers since launching the scheme, with more than one million customers using it weekly. According to the retailer, these offers have helped shoppers collectively save £60 million over the past year.

Keep ReadingShow less