The Lahore Arts Council inaugurated the highly anticipated Alhamra Sufi Festival 2025 on Friday with a breathtaking exhibition at the Allah Baksh Art Gallery, marking the beginning of a profound three-day celebration of mysticism, creativity and cultural enlightenment.
The exhibition was formally opened by the Secretary of Information & Culture, Punjab, Syed Tahir Raza Hamdani, accompanied by renowned Naat Khawan Margoob Hamdani and Executive Director Alhamra Mahboob Alam. The distinguished guests viewed the artworks, appreciating the dedication, imagination and spiritual depth reflected in each creation.
Secretary of Information & Culture, Punjab, Tahir Raza Hamdani, praised the Lahore Arts Council for its continued excellence, stating that “The government of Punjab is promoting art and culture with utmost commitment. Alhamra’s efforts are commendable, especially in reconnecting people with the timeless values of Sufism.”
Featuring over 100 masterpieces by 65 artists, the exhibition transforms the gallery into an immersive contemplative space where visitors pause, reflect and experience the quiet resonance of inner awakening. The artworks include symbolic, figurative, calligraphic and abstract representations that beautifully portray devotion, poetic metaphor, silence and the perpetual search for truth. Swirling motifs, meditative lines and luminous forms collectively echo the eternal rhythm of Sufi thought.
Executive Director Alhamra Mahboob Alam congratulated the participating artists and remarked, “This exhibition is a heartfelt tribute to our Sufi heritage, reimagined through contemporary artistic expression. It celebrates the enduring wisdom that has inspired generations of artists and invites the public to witness, feel and reflect upon the sacred spirit that lies within these works.”
The exhibition marks only the beginning of the festival’s rich cultural journey.
The second day of the Alhamra Sufi Festival will bring a compelling blend of discussions, traditional performance and musical excellence: Key Panel Discussion: “The legacy of Punjabi Sufi Poetry and Its Message for the Youth,” featuring Dr Sughra Sadaf, Dr Imdad Hussain, Dr Zakariya Zakir, Nain Sukh and Yousaf Punjabi; moderated by Afzal Sahir.
Sufi Music Raqs e Dervish Performances that weave movement with spiritual expression by Alhamra Academy of Performing Arts and the day will conclude with the Sufi Raqs by Yousaf Punjabi and Sufi Night Performance by Tehseen Sakina, in which the celebrated folk and Sufi vocalist will enchant the audience with her powerful renditions rooted in centuries-old mystic traditions.
Alhamra invites the public to experience this festival of illumination, where art, music, thought and spiritual beauty converge to celebrate the timeless message of love, unity and inner awakening.