As they bring their stirring performances to audiences across the UK, the group shares stories from their journey, memories of landmark concerts, and the profound responsibility of carrying forward a legacy rooted in devotion, discipline and divine inspiration. The brilliant brothers – Muhammad Najmuddin, Saifuddin Mehmood, Zafeeruddin Ahmed, Mughisuddin Hasan and Ehtishamuddin Husain – also reflect on their inspirations and the best advice given to them by their legendary father.
How do you reflect on your journey as a group?
We have been on a meaningful journey since childhood, dedicated to presenting traditional qawwali to the world. But this journey began long before us – our family’s connection to qawwali dates back to Hazrat Amir Khusro’s time in the 13th century. Our ancestor was part of the very first qawwali group. So, this is a spiritual journey that has continued across generations, and it lives on through our current UK tour.
What has been your most memorable moment?
We have many wonderful memories – one was performing at Millennium Park in 2013, during the Chicago World Music Festival, where nearly 12,000 people sang along with us. In 2012, on the USA Worldfest tour, we had 1,500 school students singing qawwalis with us. On that same tour, we also performed at the triennial Jewish-Christian-Muslim interfaith dialogue.
Which other moments stand out?
In 2011, we performed at the inauguration of the Islamic Block of Metropolitan Museum in the US. A special highlight was collaborating with the Moroccan group Hassan Hakmoun Ensemble to present a kalam that merged qawwali with Gnawa – a form of African devotional music. In 2002, during a tour of Iran, we performed to an audience of 8,000, who all sang Persian kalaams with us. Honestly, every time we step on stage, it feels special.
How important is live performance to you personally?
We absolutely love performing live. The audience response energises us and adds momentum to our performance. That shared connection is what motivates us to give every show our all and create something unforgettable.
How much do you enjoy touring the UK and performing here?
We always enjoy performing in the UK. After Pakistan and India, the UK has the greatest appreciation for traditional qawwali and music with classical roots. Audiences here are excellent listeners who understand and value authentic qawwali. We hope to see everyone during our current tour, which is being organised by Jay Visvadeva of Sama Arts Network.
What can audiences expect from your shows?
As always, we will give our best kalaams and strive for perfection so UK audiences can experience traditional qawwali in its purest, most powerful form – deeply rooted in ancient tradition.
How do you generate so much power on stage?
Our uniqueness lies in our collective strength – we have always performed as a group rather than relying on a frontman. While many groups have just one or two lead singers, we have five. Audiences appreciate that and are often amazed that each member plays an essential role in the performance. That is why our shows are so dynamic and full of energy.
Them performing liveNajmuddin Saifuddin Qawwal Group
Tell us about the documentary you have made.
The documentary, produced by Kamran Anwar and Professor Katherine Schofield, traces the emergence, history and evolution of qawwali. It goes right back to the disciples of Hazrat Amir Khusro, who is recognised as the first qawwal in history. We are proud to say our ancestor was part of that original group.
How important is it to carry forward a legacy that stretches back centuries?
We are descendants of the leader of the first Qawwal Bachchay group. Ours is a continuous legacy spanning 25 generations, and we will continue to carry it forward. It is both our honour and our responsibility to preserve and pass on this tradition.
What do you most admire about your father, Ustad Bahauddin Khan Qawwal?
He was a true legend of the Khusro tradition. He believed in achieving perfection in every aspect of his work, art, and performance. He taught us every element of this tradition and was generous in sharing his knowledge, not just with us but with anyone who came to him. That is why his legacy extends far beyond the family.
What was the greatest lesson he taught you in your journey?
He always said, “Remain a disciple – never believe you are a teacher.” Being a disciple means you stay open to learning, remain inspired, and keep striving for perfection. The moment you think of yourself as a master, you stop growing, and others start questioning you.
What inspires you as a group?
We are inspired by simplicity, purity and excellence in performance. Our father never stopped striving for more, even though he was revered worldwide. He remained rooted in the Khusro tradition, and that focus continues to guide us. Our audiences also inspire us – whether we are performing for a few or for thousands, the energy they give back fuels us.
Why do you think Sufi music remains timeless and beloved?
Because it originates from the soul and speaks to the spirit. It brings calm, stillness and a sense of divine connection. Sufi music carries a universal message of love, humanity, equality, humility, peace and unity – all beautifully expressed through hypnotic rhythms and heartfelt vocals.
Why should people come to your upcoming UK shows?
Because the kind of qawwali we present is rare. It is not the inauthentic, Bollywood-style version that dilutes the genre. What we offer is real qawwali – in its purest form – and something you will not hear from any other group.
Najmuddin Saifuddin Qawwal Group are touring the UK until late July. Visit sama. co.uk for dates and ticket information.
Despite his growing profile, he has not previously worked on video game voice acting projectsYouTube/ IO Interactive
One user on Reddit wrote, “I clocked it THE SECOND I saw the dirty smirk of his,” while another commented: “Watching the trailer and knew the face looked familiar. After about a minute or so I screamed ‘DEXTER.’” The 30-year-old actor is currently best known for his portrayal of a young Dexter Morgan in the prequel series Dexter: Original Sin.
Although IO Interactive has yet to officially confirm the identity of the voice or performance actor behind the digital Bond, the character’s facial features and expressions have drawn comparisons to Gibson. According to PC Gamer, the game’s version of Bond features a “smirky” demeanour, similar to Gibson’s previous roles.
Gibson’s filmography includes appearances in Shadow and Bone, The OA, and The Tudors. Despite his growing profile, he has not previously worked on video game voice acting projects. Notably, his Wikipedia page was reportedly edited shortly after the trailer’s release to claim he had been cast in the game, further fuelling the speculation.
IO Interactive’s upcoming game represents a departure from previous depictions of James Bond. In 007 First Light, players will take control of a Bond who is not yet the polished secret agent with a licence to kill. Instead, he is described as “a young, resourceful, and sometimes reckless new recruit” who has just joined MI6 after a privileged but aimless upbringing.
The game begins with Bond as an air crewman in the Royal Navy, prior to earning his 00 status. IO Interactive CEO Hakan Abrak said the aim was to show Bond “before the tuxedos and the martinis,” as he steps into the dangerous world of espionage.
In the trailer, the character M describes Bond as “a bullet without a target,” hinting at a raw, unshaped version of the spy who will evolve into the 007 known to audiences. The game will reportedly combine narrative-driven cutscenes with third-person gameplay, including shooting and melee combat.
Some fans and commentators have questioned the modern direction of the game. PC Gamer remarked that the new Bond, presumably born around the year 2000, has a distinctly contemporary appearance, joking that he looks like someone who “vapes or has opinions about Ethereum”.
Nonetheless, the studio is expected to share more details at the IOI Showcase on Friday, 7 June at 2 am BST. This presentation is set to feature gameplay footage and may confirm the cast involved in the project.
The speculation around Patrick Gibson’s involvement in 007 First Light comes amid ongoing rumours regarding the next actor to play James Bond in the film franchise. Theo James has recently emerged as the frontrunner, with bookmakers BetMGM listing the 40-year-old White Lotus star as the 6/4 favourite to succeed Daniel Craig, whose final appearance as Bond was in 2021’s No Time to Die.
- YouTubeYouTube/ IO Interactive
James, who also appeared in The Gentlemen, is now considered a leading contender among fans and industry insiders for the iconic role.
Meanwhile, 007 First Light marks IO Interactive’s first Bond game since acquiring the licence, and it is expected to be the first in a trilogy developed in collaboration with Amazon MGM Studios.
