Rumi: The Musical brings alive heritage of east at Education City

Rumi: The Musical brought alive the heritage of the east at Education City Tuesday as part of Qatar Foundation's (QF) D’reesha Performing Arts Festival and entertained the audience about the philosopher/poet’s legacy. The final performance is Wednesday. “We may each have our differences but we are united in longing and direction. If you are bound for pilgrimage, seek a pilgrim as your companion. It matters not if they are a Hindu, an Arab or a Turk: see not their shape or the colour of their skin but find their purpose and their intention. If they are in accord with you then your complexion is the same.”
Inspired by the poetry of Jalal Al Din Rumi, one of the greatest philosophers in the Islamic world, these words were spoken at the musical. QF's D’reesha Performing Arts Festival showcases the culture of the Arab world at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, described as the world’s biggest event that brings people from around the world to celebrate a game that unites everyone.
“The musical is inspired by the global scale of Rumi’s outreach and influence, which has always broken cultural borders, and has resonated with hearts and minds across continents. The musical performance was a grand score -- which combined Middle Eastern elements with classical influences of contemporary musical theatre, and lyrics derived from Rumi’s poetry,” said co-composer and scriptwriter Nadim Naaman, who also is playing the role of Rumi in the show.
Reflecting on how the arts complements sports in many ways, the British-Lebanese theatre actor, Naaman said: “Performing arts, and in particular musical theatre, and sports have plenty in common – they have the ability to thrill and unite people. They can be enjoyed by everyone, and provides an escape from life’s challenges. They also provoke thought, debate, and encourage creative thinking and reflection of our world.”
Rumi: The Musical performance is also co-composed by Dana Alfardan, a renowned Qatari contemporary composer, singer and songwriter; and led by a cast of 14 actors who have appeared in popular West End and Broadway shows such as Les Misérables, The Phantom of The Opera, The Prince of Egypt, collectively representing the countries of Iran, Lebanon, Egypt, Oman, Mauritius, Pakistan, India, Malta and many others.
“As Qatar invites the world to see that the Middle East can be a home for sporting success, I passionately wish for the Middle East to be seen as a thriving home for the Arts too. I’m hugely proud and excited for my co-writer Dana Alfardan to be able to present this musical in her home country, and hope that our audiences will find an inspiration to explore music and theatre. And that the region as a whole will continue to recognise that, just as sport can, the Arts can be a wonderful unifying platform for the success and talent of a nation and its people,” Naaman said.
On why the character of Rumi in specific was chosen to be highlighted in a cultural festival while hosting such a huge sporting event in the Arab region, Namaan believes that Rumi is an iconic figure and thinker who shares many characteristics with an international event such as the World Cup. “Rumi’s work transcends international borders and is revered and quoted by millions regardless of nationality, faiths, age or gender. His words unite humanity through highs, lows and periods of reflection. His thoughts regarding tolerance and acceptance were ahead of his time,” he said.
“Dana and I proudly presented our first musical, Khalil Gibran’s Broken Wings, back in 2019. Following the challenges of Covid-19, and in sync with the arrival of the World Cup in Qatar, returning in 2022 feels like a moment of coming a full circle. And it’s a huge honour to be performing live on stage for the audience in Doha during a historic event such as the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.”
QF’s D’reesha Performing Arts Festival will conclude on December 17. Held under the theme ‘Travel and Adventure’, it will showcase a variety of performances in Arabic and English, from music and poetry to visual arts and theater, with the new D’reesha of Invention showcasing scientists, scholars, and researchers from the Arab world. Tickets can be purchased from https://tickets.virginmegastore.me/qa/family/17911/d-rsquo-reesha-performing-arts-festival. More information is available from www.qf.org.qa/dreesha