Fareed Ayaz and Abu Muhammad Qawwals: Voices of the Divine at Lisner Auditorium – Washington, DC

Get your tickets to see Fareed Ayaz and Abu Muhammad Qawwals: Voices of the Divine in Washington, DC. Happening on Saturday, November 1, 2025 at Lisner Auditorium. Doors open at 7:30 PM.

Fareed Ayaz and Abu Muhammad Qawwals are masters of Qawwali Sufi music. They represent the twenty-sixth generation of original thirteenth-century Qawwals. What is Qawwali: Qawwali is a form of devotional music seeking to transport musicians and audience closer to the divine. Deriving its name from the Arabic word Qaul, meaning to speak, qawwali is a musical vehicle by which a group of musicians called Qawwals delivers inspirational messages to devotees. This traditional music works its way to ecstatic peaks with powerful vocal performance, rhythmic hand claps, and the use of traditional musical instruments like the harmonium, the dholak and tabla. Qawwali repertoire are sung in Persian, Urdu, and Hindi by the lead singer and chorus playing in a call-and-response style. For general ticketing, event questions, or group ticket orders, please email gwticket@gwu.edu. Box office opens when doors open unless otherwise noted.

Yes, available for purchase online. For Patrons in wheelchairs, please note there is a ramp from the sidewalk and accessible restrooms on the main level.

Ages 16+. NO BAGS larger than 18 x 16 x 8 inches. All Terrace seats require climbing stairs. There are no elevators in the Auditorium. GW Community Tickets are offered in-person only at the Lisner Auditorium box office to valid GWorld ID holders while supplies last. GW Community Tickets are $10 off Terrace pricing. There is a 2 ticket limit per ID, any additional tickets may be purchased at full price. All sales are final, no refunds or exchanges.