ISLAMABAD - Renowned Pakistani singer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan has gone back to his roots and announced plans to hold 100 qawwali gatherings across the globe, including in Saudi Arabia.

According to a private news channel, the singer, who is the nephew of late maestro Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, wants to celebrate 2018 as the year of qawwali.

“Qawwali is at the heart of our family traditions, and my ancestors have worked hard to develop this genre of music and introduce it to the world. Qawwali and I are inseparable. It runs in my blood. Whatever I am performing, qawwali is always at the heart of it. It gives me the unique edge in all the music that I do,” he said.

Appreciating the contributions of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan to the world of music, Khan said, “The world of music has not seen a qawwal that is parallel to Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. He glorified the art of qawwali and took the art of international audiences. He won many awards and accolades for his performances.”

The 100 concerts seek to pay a tribute to the lasting legacy of Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, according to Rahat. In addition to his show in the Kingdom, the singers plans on taking his talents to the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Oman, Turkey, Morocco, South Africa, Kenya, Nepal, Bangladesh, and of course, Pakistan. - AFP