Popular Pakistani singer Ustad Rahat Fateh Ali Khan turned the Dubai Exhibition Centre into a swaying sea of phone torchlights, as the audience showed appreciation for his velvety voice at Expo 2020 Dubai on Saturday, 5 March, 2022.
Known for performing qawaalis – devotional songs – ghazals – poems – and songs for the Bollywood and Pakistan film industry, he stayed seated for the two-hour, sold-out show, keeping all the focus on the incredible range of his voice.
Speaking later that evening, Khan said he was delighted with the performance and the response he had received from the audience. He said: “So many artists from all over the world have played here. Expo 2020 Dubai is bringing communities and people together, which shows this is a city with a big heart.
“I have played in Dubai four times in the last eight months, and all to full capacity shows like this. Dubai has such welcoming arms! I am sure the air here helps me go that extra mile.”
Fans can rewatch the concert here via Virtual Expo.
Expo 2020 Dubai is a once-in-a-lifetime global celebration, opening up a world of wonder, excitement and hope for millions of visitors from around the world. Taking place over six months, it offers something for everyone, irrespective of age, nationality or interest.
Through our theme and our purpose, ‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future’, Expo 2020 Dubai is a platform to encourage creativity, innovation and collaboration across our three subthemes: Opportunity, Mobility and Sustainability.
The theme reflects the history of Dubai, historically called Al Wasl, or ‘the connection’. Dubai has long played an important role in connecting east and west, north and south. Our vision is to build on Dubai’s role as a cross-continental gateway and deliver a World Expo that advances the potential of human collaboration, while inspiring visitors to create a positive, long-term impact for people around the world.
Our subthemes are the three connected drivers of progress. Opportunity reflects our mission to uncover new opportunities for individuals and communities and inspire them to achieve their needs today and pursue their future aspirations. Through Mobility, we focus on providing easier access to knowledge, markets and innovation by working on solutions and technologies that facilitate the movement of people, goods and ideas. Through Sustainability, we promote practices to protect and preserve our environment for future generations by doing more with less.
The 4.38 square kilometre Expo site is located in Dubai South, within easy reach of Dubai International Airport, Abu Dhabi International Airport, and Dubai and Abu Dhabi cruise terminals.
