Fez– On the third night of the 29th Fez Festival of World Sacred Music, Bab Al Makina became the stage for an unforgettable encounter between music, spirituality and collective emotion as Sami Yusuf returned to the festival for the fourth time in his career.
Long before the concert began, crowds filled the historic venue, creating an atmosphere rarely witnessed even at a festival renowned for its ability to bring together audiences from around the world.
The performance was sold out, with spectators travelling from different cities across Morocco to experience the artist’s long-awaited return to Fez.
The anticipation was palpable. As soon as Sami Yusuf appeared on stage, the audience erupted into applause and cheers that would continue throughout the evening.
The ambiance was immense, at times almost ecstatic, reflecting the unique bond that has developed over the years between the internationally acclaimed musician and the Fez audience.
Inspired by a universal vision and a deep fascination with musical traditions rooted in contemplation and mysticism, Sami Yusuf has built a body of work that transcends geographical and cultural boundaries.
His artistic approach draws from diverse musical heritages including Andalusian music, Persian and Azeri traditions, Turkish influences and, in some of his more recent projects, elements of flamenco and Christian liturgical music.
That commitment to authenticity remains at the heart of his work.
Rejecting the standardized formulas of a globalized oriental music industry, Yusuf continues to immerse himself in living traditions, exploring their spiritual and artistic depths while creating a dialogue between cultures through sound.
The connection between this artistic philosophy and the spirit of Fez was evident throughout the evening.
Returning once again to the festival, Yusuf offered a performance that celebrated the mystical beauty of the East while opening pathways toward a more universal understanding of sacred expression.
A highlight of the concert was the exclusive presentation of selections from his new album “Ecstasy”.
Performed live for the first time, these new compositions offered festival-goers a rare glimpse into the artist’s latest creative chapter.
The audience responded with remarkable enthusiasm, embracing the new material with the same intensity that has accompanied Yusuf’s best-known works for decades.
Alongside these premieres, the artist revisited some of his most celebrated masterpieces, prompting waves of emotion across the venue.
Familiar melodies were met with collective singing, standing ovations and moments of profound silence, creating a powerful contrast that underscored the spiritual dimension of the performance.
The evening echoed a sentiment expressed by the great Persian poet Jalal al-Din Rumi: “When I am silent, I fall into that place where everything is music and love.”
Throughout the concert, that idea seemed to take tangible form.
Music became both language and meeting point, transcending words and bringing together thousands of listeners in a shared experience.
As Sami Yusuf himself has often observed, music possesses a unique power to reveal the heart of cultures and communicate beyond translation.
In Fez, that belief resonated strongly. Through a dialogue between traditions, histories and spiritual sensibilities, the concert became more than a performance; it became a celebration of the living musical legacies that continue to inspire people across borders and generations.
By the final notes, the audience rose to its feet once again, reluctant to let the evening end.
On a festival dedicated to encounters between cultures and spiritual traditions, Sami Yusuf’s return stood as one of the most powerful moments of this year’s edition, an overwhelming demonstration of music’s enduring ability to unite, elevate and move.
