Skip to content
CapRadio

CapRadio

signal status listen live donate
listen live donate signal status
listen live donate signal status
  • News
    • beats
    • State Government
    • Environment
    • Health Care
    • Business
    • Arts and Lifestyle
    • Food and Sustainability
    • PolitiFact California
    • California Dream
    • Videos
    • Photos
  • Music
    • genres
    • Classical
    • Jazz
    • Roots
    • Eclectic
    • Videos
    • Daily Playlist
  • Programs + Podcasts
    • news
    • Morning Edition
    • All Things Considered
    • Marketplace
    • Insight
    • California State of Mind
    • The View From Here
    • music
    • Acid Jazz
    • At the Opera
    • Classical Music
    • Connections
    • Excellence in Jazz
    • Hey, Listen!
    • Insight Music
    • K-ZAP on CapRadio
    • Mick Martin's Blues Party
    • Programs A-Z
    • Podcast Directory
  • Schedules
    • News
    • Music
    • ClassicalStream
    • JazzStream
    • Weekly Schedule
    • Daily Playlist
  • Community
    • Events Calendar
    • CapRadio Garden
    • CapRadio Reads
    • CapRadio Travels
    • Ticket Giveaways
  • Support
    • Evergreen Gift
    • One-Time Gift
    • Corporate Support / Underwriting
    • Vehicle Donation
    • Stock Gift
    • Legacy Gift
    • Endowment Gift
    • Volunteering
    • Benefits
    • Member FAQ
    • e‑Newsletter
    • Drawing Winners
    • Thank You Gifts
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Close Menu
 We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter 
 We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter 
  • Eclectic
  • Arts and Lifestyle
  •  

Islamic Music Group To Perform At UOP

  •  Steve Milne 
Thursday, February 11, 2016 | Sacramento, CA
Listen
/
Update RequiredTo play audio, update browser or Flash plugin.

Members of the Al Firdaus Ensemble: Salma Vives, Omar Benlamlih, Yusuf Mezghildi and Ali Keeler.

 

At a time of political rhetoric over Islam in America, a multi-cultural group of European musicians has been touring the U.S. playing sacred Islamic songs.

The tour ends Thursday in Stockton with a performance at University of the Pacific.

The group is a quartet called the Al Firdaus Ensemble. 

I sat down with two group members earlier this week.

Ali Keeler: My name’s Ali Keeler. I’m the violinist and one of the singers.

Mohammed Domingeuz: My name is Mohammed Dominguez. I was born in Caracas, Venezuela. And the function that I have in Al Firdaus is to play drums and make choirs (sing) as well.

Steve Milne: Ali, you’re originally from England. But the group is based in Spain – what part?

Ali Keeler: We’re based in Granada. It’s an amazing place. There’s a real collaboration going on with flamenco, Andalucie, Arabic. And I ended up there a few years ago and it was just amazing to be suddenly brought into contact with all these musicians.

Steve Milne: You perform Islamic sacred music. But how would you describe your music? It’s not strictly traditional.

Ali Keeler: It draws from the various Sufi traditions. But because it has these different elements, it has an original flavor.

Mohammed Dominguez: For me personally, every single time we sit down on a stage to play, it’s a beautiful opportunity to go deeper inside my heart, inside myself and contemplate the divine.

Steve Milne: Mohammed what’s this tour been like for you? I mean you're touring the U.S. at a time when there’s anti-Muslim political rhetoric happening here.

Mohammed Dominguez: Maybe you could have some sectors of the U.S. society that think that way. But honestly, my impression is that the major part of the people are really open-minded about cultural, about universality and about the art we are bringing with our work.

Steve Milne: Ali, how about you? What were you expecting?

Ali Keeler: I was worried because of the kind of fear mongering that we would have difficulties coming into the U.S. because we do Islamic music. So yeah, I was worried but pleasantly surprised. We’ve been welcomed everywhere.

Mohammed Dominguez: And I think maybe this tour could be very positive. Hopefully to keep coming to the U.S.A. and I think the political things have nothing much to do with our work, with our mission. There are many problems around the world. But I think this spirit of oneness, of love, of beauty in all the traditions of the world will be finally victorious.

The Al Firdaus Ensemble performs tonight at 7:30 in the Morris Chapel at University of the Pacific in Stockton.

 MusicMuslimIslam

Steve Milne

Morning Edition Anchor & Reporter

Steve is the Morning Edition anchor for Capital Public Radio. He covers stories on a wide range of topics including: business, education, real estate, agriculture and music.  Read Full Bio 

Coronavirus Newsletter

Get answers to your questions, the latest updates and easy access to the resources you need, delivered to your inbox.

 

Want to know what to expect? Here's a recent newsletter.

Thanks for subscribing!

We'll send you weekly emails so you can stay informed about the coronavirus in California.

Browse all newsletters

Most Viewed

California Coronavirus Updates: A strike Of Teachers Aides And Food Service Workers Has Been Called Off

California Coronavirus Updates: Sacramentans Are Getting Vaccinated, But The County Remains In The Red Tier

How To Get A Vaccine Appointment In California, And Other Things To Know About The Vaccine

Signatures Are In. What You Need To Know About The Gavin Newsom Recall Effort.

Sacramento County To Keep Motels For Homeless Residents Open Through August

We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter

Most Viewed

California Coronavirus Updates: A strike Of Teachers Aides And Food Service Workers Has Been Called Off

California Coronavirus Updates: Sacramentans Are Getting Vaccinated, But The County Remains In The Red Tier

How To Get A Vaccine Appointment In California, And Other Things To Know About The Vaccine

Signatures Are In. What You Need To Know About The Gavin Newsom Recall Effort.

Sacramento County To Keep Motels For Homeless Residents Open Through August

Back to Top

  • CapRadio

    7055 Folsom Boulevard
    Sacramento, CA 95826-2625

    • (916) 278-8900
    • Toll-free (877) 480-5900
    • Email Us
    • Submit a News Tip
  • Contact Us

  • About Us

    • Contact Us / Feedback
    • Coverage
    • Directions
    • Jobs & Internships
    • Mission / Vision / Core Values
    • Press
    • Staff Directory
    • Board of Directors
  • Listening Options

    • Mobile App
    • On Air Schedules
    • Smart Speakers
    • Playlist
    • Podcasts
    • RSS
  • Connect With Us

    •  Facebook
    •  Twitter
    •  Instagram
    •  YouTube
  • Donate

  • Listen

  • Newsletters

CapRadio stations are licensed to California State University, Sacramento. © 2021, Capital Public Radio. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Website Feedback FCC Public Files: KXJZ KKTO KUOP KQNC KXPR KXSR KXJS. For assistance accessing our public files, please call 916-278-8900 or email us.