Sonam Kalra And The Sufi Gospel Project

Sonam Kalra and the Sufi Gospel Project became the first group to Beirut under the Cultural Exchange Agreement between India and Lebanon. The visit was sponsored by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) and the Lebanese Ministry of Culture provided local hospitality. The group performed on 2nd October at the UNESCO Palace in Beirut in the presence of Mr. Mohammad Machnouq, Minister of Environment, other dignitaries and an audience of around 800 people. On the 3rd of October, the group performed in Batrouniyat, Batroun where Foreign Minister Mr. Gebran Bassil was the chief guest in front of an audience of around 300 people.

The message of the Sufi Gospel Project, underlining the unity among religions and presenting religious harmonies from various cultures in one voice – the voice of faith – was imminently suitable to mark Mahatma Gandhi’s 145th birth anniversary, and had a stunning impact on the audience.

Other collaborators who helped the Embassy present these events were Association for Development of Lebanese Indian Relations (ADLIR), Lions International, American University of Beirut Alumni Association and Rotary Club. The events also received sponsorship from Dar al-Handasah, Batrouniyat, Zeenni Goldsmith Jeweller and Al-Jadeed Television.

The performance at UNESCO Palace on 2nd October was accompanied by an exhibition of saris from seven states of India, also sponsored by Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR).