For centuries, Sufi poetry has travelled not only through manuscripts but through voices, gatherings, and musical performance. From the qasidas of medieval mystics to contemporary devotional poetry, this literary tradition has continually found new musical expression without losing its spiritual essence. With “Bejamalen (With Beauty),” Afaq Art Production contributes a new chapter to that ongoing dialogue, presenting a newly written qasida inspired by the classical Sufi tradition through an expansive orchestral sound that bridges both heritage as well as contemporary artistry.
Written and composed by Sheikh Abd Al-Ghani Al-Umari Al-Hasani and performed by Ziad Kamal, Bejamalen unfolds as a meditation on divine beauty, love, witnessing, and spiritual knowledge. Rather than telling a linear story, the poem moves through shifting mystical states, inviting listeners into an experience of contemplation. Opening with the evocative verse, “With beauty that appeared, we lost ourselves,” the text immediately presents beauty as a catalyst for spiritual transformation rather than simple aesthetic admiration; and as the qasida progresses through lines such as “We became intoxicated through witnessing and contemplation” and “Love binds what lies between us in a bond no destiny can undo,” it draws upon familiar Sufi imagery and devotional symbolism, demonstrating how the classical qasida tradition continues to inspire new poetic expression. The work ultimately concludes with praise of the Prophet Muhammad, described as the source of spiritual knowledge, wisdom, and guidance.
The orchestral arrangement by Maestro George Kolta is central to the work’s identity. The arrangement expands its emotional landscape by weaving together Arabic maqam traditions with cinematic orchestral writing. Eastern instruments and Western symphonic textures coexist naturally, creating a musical language that feels both refined and immersive while allowing poetry to remain at the heart of the listening experience.
Ziad Kamal delivers the qasida with notable restraint and conviction. His performance favours expressive clarity over vocal display. It allows the devotional depth of the lyrics to emerge organically. That measured interpretation proves particularly effective as the composition gradually builds toward its closing verses, preserving the contemplative spirit that defines the work from beginning to end.
“Bejamalen” by Afaq Art Production demonstrates that engaging with heritage is not simply an act of preservation, but one of creative continuation. By pairing a newly written Sufi qasida with thoughtful orchestration and an expressive performance, the release becomes a contemporary dialogue with Sufi heritage, one that honours centuries of poetic tradition while also inviting it to resonate with modern audiences.