Abu Dhabi, UAE – 4 April, 2022:  During the holy month of Ramadan, the 19th edition of Abu Dhabi Festival held under the theme Crafting the Emirates State of Mind: Creativity, Innovation & Joy presents the virtual world premieres of Sheikh Mahmoud Al Tohamy’s In the Hands of God on 11 April and Heritage & Harmony on 18 April. The performances are held as part of the Festival’s Spiritual Music Series and can be streamed on the Festival’s Facebook account.

In the first concert, the renowned Egyptian spiritual singer joins Sheikh Mohammed Abdel Ra’ouf Al Sohagy and Mohammed Yousef for a 70-minute performance of 12 moving tracks that draw inspiration from Arabic tradition and world heritage, presented in a contemporary format to highlight the cross-cultural aesthetics that tie the past, present and future. In the Hands of God premieres 11 April at 9pm (UTC+ 4).

The second concert of the series is a tribute to the students Sheikh Al Tohamy tutored at Egypt’s first school of religious hymns. Now well-known spiritual musicians in their own right, these award-winning performers will join the celebrated singer for a stirring performance showcasing the beauty of the nearly two-thousand-year-old Islamic art form of ‘inshad’. Heritage & Harmony premieres 18 April at 9pm (UTC+ 4).

While speaking about the collaboration with Sheikh Al Tohamy, HE Huda I. Alkhamis-Kanoo, Founder of the Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation and Founder and Artistic Director of Abu Dhabi Festival said: “In its nearly two decades, Abu Dhabi Festival has sought to build bridges of cultural understanding between civilisations, reflecting ADMAF’s belief that culture is the key that unlocks a nation’s creativity and the language that transcends borders. Sheikh Mahmoud Al Tohamy is a master of ‘inshad’, the centuries-old art form of Islamic chanting, and in line with our commitment to preserve cultural heritage for future generations we are pleased to present his return for the Festival’s Spiritual Music Series with the digital world premieres of his performances, In the Hands of God and Heritage & Harmony during the holy month of Ramadan—a time for reflection and upholding the values of tolerance and acceptance”. 
Commenting on his renewed partnership with Abu Dhabi Festival, Al Tohamy, who worked with top composers, such as Ammar El Sherei, Salah El Sharnoubi and Hassan Abu El Seoud, said: “I am proud of my continued cooperation with the Abu Dhabi Festival, which has become a global beacon of culture and arts, contributing to the consolidation of noble values, culture, authenticity and brotherhood, and the protection and documentation of intangible Arab heritage to be passed on to future generations.”

The 19th edition of Abu Dhabi Festival 2022 is held under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Shamsa Bint Hamdan Bin Mohammed Al Nahyan , Assistant to His Highness the President of the Authority for Women’s Affairs, and Chairperson of the Higher Committee for Ataya Initiative, with support from its lead partner Mubadala Investment Company (Mubadala) and energy partner GS Energy.

The 2022 Abu Dhabi Festival programme is part of the contribution made by the Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation to the UAE capital’s designation as a UNESCO City of Music, further bolstering its role as a world leading musical center and incubator of an innovation-based resilient and sustainable music ecosystem. Abu Dhabi Festival 2022 encompasses over 1,000 participating artists from around the world to present more than 300 live and digital events. The 19th edition will also include two world tours and 17 world premieres.