Quawwali, the music of Islam's Sufi sect, can be found in Middle Eastern countries ranging from India to Saudi Arabia to Turkey. How prevalent it is in a particular country depends on how friendly that country is to Sufis (who, like Hindus, believe music to be a sacred and necessary element of religious life). For centuries, Quawwali was prevalent in Iran, but when the Ayatollah Khomehni outlawed all music in that country in 1979, Persian Sufis faced tremendous danger. One of the finest Quawwali groups in Pakistan is the
Sabri Brothers. In contrast to secular Pakistani pop music,
Ya Habib concerns itself only with spiritual matters. Whether singing or playing the harmonium, Haji Ghulam Farid Sabri and Haji Maqbool Ahmed Sabri spare no passion on the extended pieces heard on this enriching CD. Highly recommended. ~ Alex Henderson