Syrian chanter of Sufi songs tours the US

A Syrian Sufi and Andalusia songs chanter would soon tour the United States of America to recite this kind of religious and spiritual music Syria is famous of after he wrapped up a tour in Spain, Tishrin daily on Monday said.

Singer Hamzeh Shakkour and his music troupe would visit the US from November 5th until 25th. This would be to meet an invitation from the international music organization in the US namely, the World Music. The trip would lead him to New York, Washington, Los Angeles, Miami, California and Detroit.

" There is no doubt that our music is rich and spiritual and the West is yearning to it. Practically we speak through seven languages which are: the Koran's the spirit, the soul, the eyes as well as the music itself, with the expression, feeling and silence," Shakkour said.

The bright chanter recently recited in Barcelona of Spain where Spaniards received his songs with warm and enjoyed this kind of typical music of Syria Turkey and Iran the cradle of Sufism with its songs and dances.

Sufism or Taswwuf, as it is called in Arabic, is generally understood by scholars and Sufis to be the inner, mystical, or psycho-spiritual dimension of Islam. Among the most well known Sufis are Mnsur al-Hallaj who embodies Rifa Iya, a way in Sufism and Ibin Arabi who follows al-Shadhiliya.

Songs of Sufis are normally accompanied with a religious dancing called al-Moullawiya.

Sufism means surrender to God, in love, over and over, which involves embracing with love at each moment to content of one's consciousness, perceptions, thoughts and feelings as well as one's sense of self as a gift of God or manifestation of God.