A part of our culture

Ali Alsaloom's fast fact for Ramadan on September 4, 2009

During the holy month, government departments and companies try to hold Ramadan-themed gatherings, with iftar and some kind of live show. Tomorrow and Saturday nights (between 9.30 and 11), for example, the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage will present whirling dervishes from Turkey at the Emirates Palace hotel. Now dervishes and sofi music are not usually considered Islamic, but they are a part of the culture in an Islamic country. Traditionally, Islamic music (nasheed) is simply vocals and sometimes drums, which we call "duf".

This is the type of music played by Yusuf Islam (formerly Cat Stevens) and Sami Yusuf. Most Muslims appreciate listening to the recitation of the holy Quran in the morning (On Abu Dhabi Holy Quran FM), and during the day they will listen to various tapes of sheikhs giving recitations, speeches or lectures.