LONDON: Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, has said Ustad Rahat Fateh Ali Khan is a living legend who brings together four generations of South Asians who love Urdu poetry and music.
Sadiq Khan thanked Rahat Fateh Ali Khan for selling out the vast Wembley Arena soon after the lifting of the COVID-19 lockdown and for bringing together Muslims, Hindus, Christians, Sikhs, Pakistanis and Indians in their shared love for popular eastern music and poetry.
The London Mayor took to the stage half way through the powerful performance by Ustad Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and his band including Gumby on drums, Rashid Ali Khan on saxophone, Mohsin Raza Shah on the lead guitars and Rahat’s younger brother Wajahat Ali Khan on the supporting vocals.
The “Legacy” tour of Rahat Fateh Ali to London, Birmingham, Manchester and Leicester over 10 days has been organised by Rahat’s manager and promoter Salman Ahmed’s PME and Grace Entertainment.
Speaking to Geo News, Sadiq Khan said the sold out show was proof that Rahat Fateh Ali has “helped us to show that London is open. It’s lovely to see Rahat bhai back in London. We missed live music for over 18 months. Rahat Fateh Ali is not only Pakistan’s star but he’s a mega star around the world. The Wembley Arena was sold out today to see the living legend and the response we have seen was amazing”.
Rahat Fateh Ali Khan performed for three hours with one break. Thousands of Indians and Pakistanis sang with him, each and every song. Hundreds danced on the floor area and kept asking for more from Rahat whose last performance at the same sold out venue was just before London went into lockdown.
Salman Ahmed, whose company manages and promotes Ustad Rahat Fateh, said London has shown that it loves Rahat Fateh Ali Khan. He told Geo News that thousands of fans came to the venue to appreciate Rahat more than ever before because the lockdown has taught us to appreciate things more and to value those things which bring peace, joy and entertainment.
Salman Ahmed said Ustad Rahat Fateh Ali Khan was popular because he promoted the message of love and unity which is reflected through his music. “He’s a unifying force. I am thankful to the Mayor of London for coming to Wembley Arena to support Ustad Rahat Fateh Ali. Pakistan’s High Commissioner to the UK Moazzam Ali Khan and dignitaries from India and Pakistan graced the occasions and I am thankful to all of them. This means a lot to me as this was our 10th anniversary and meant a lot to us all”.
Salman Ahmed, who has organised the mega hit shows of Ustad Rahat Fateh Ali Khan at global platforms, said Ustad Rahat Fateh Ali Khan is the most phenomenal Qawwali specialist and a popular singer who has an exceptional voice and has rendered some extraordinary compositions very effectively.
Speaking to Geo News after his performance, Ustad Rahat Fateh Ali Khan said he loved London’s audience. He said: “I am so happy to perform in London. This was after two years of separation. Pakistanis, Indians and Bangladeshis have come together for my show just because of one thing: positivity. I have positivity inside me and it’s positivity that generates love”.
