Abdul Rashid Hafiz, one of Kashmir’s foremost Sufi singers, is facing accusations of corrupting Sufism through his maiden foray into a new-age music platform.
Hafiz and Bollywood playback singer Asees Kaur feature in Salim-Sulaiman and Mithoon’s Bhoomi 2023 duet Meri Jaan. The song, released on Tuesday, has taken the Internet by storm but seems to have angered many of Hafiz’s ardent fans back home.
The singer is facing accusations of exposing Sufism, a foremost religious tradition representing Islamic mysticism, in Kashmir to “vulgar” and “pop” music. Some called it an insult to Sufism.
Hafiz is a household name in Kashmir and has played a key role in popularising Sufi music in the Valley.
In Bhoomi, a fusion of traditional and modern music, he has sung the famed composition of poet Abdul Ahad Nazim, “Ya Tuli Khanjar Maaray, Nati Sani Shab a Rozay (Either He will draw the dagger and go for the kill or stay a night with us)”.
“Rashid Hazif, Khuda Hafiz (Rashid Hafiz, goodbye),” wrote journalist Hilal Mir on social media. “On a serious note, I don’t think a one-off event can diminish his stature.”
Politician and former Srinagar mayor Salman Sagar wrote he has been an ardent fan of Hafiz, having spent nights listening to his live performances, but the new song was “not a good idea”.
“This should not have come from legendary artists like him. Still lot of respect & appreciation for his music & unique style. Nevertheless waiting for his next song with all ingredients of simplicity, purity, Sufism & Kashmirayat,” he wrote.
Former broadcast journalist Abdal Mahjoor, son of leading Kashmiri poet Mahjoor, said people know Hafiz as a heritage singer and “heritage is to be protected, not adultered”.
Following a barrage of criticism, many prominent voices have stepped in to defend Hafiz.
Faruq Masoodi, former head of Kashmir University’s Media Education and Research Department and also a known media personality, said “every artist has the right to experiment and try new forms, styles, settings and compositions”.
