Rahat Fateh Ali Khan Honors Nusrat at Plano Press Conference |
Shahzaman joins tribute as North Texas musicians and community leaders celebrate qawwali legend's 78th birthday |
Music, remembrance and a call for peace brought artists and community leaders together at a Plano press conference on October 13, 2026, honoring the 78th birth anniversary of legendary qawwali singer Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan.
Ustad Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, Nusrat's nephew and longtime student, appeared alongside his son, Shahzaman Fateh Ali Khan, to celebrate a musical legacy that continues to connect generations.
Music beyond borders
The gathering drew members of the Pakistani and Indian communities, including Sikh attendees, along with local cultural and business figures.
During a question-and-answer session, Rahat emphasized that music can unite people across national, religious and linguistic differences.
Rahat also reflected on his uncle's mentorship, recalling an enduring lesson: respect senior artists and elders regardless of fame or professional standing.
A new generation carries the tradition
Shahzaman addressed comparisons between his voice and Nusrat's, calling the association an honor while stressing his commitment to learning and preserving the family's centuries-old musical heritage.
Father and son performed in Nusrat's memory, including a sehra associated with the late maestro, as guests celebrated his life and influence.
A commemorative birthday cake was also shared at the gathering.
North Texas musicians join the tribute
Among those attending were members of the local Sufi rock band KIZMET: lead guitarist Raza Begg with his wife, Imrana Begg, and bassist Yousuf Begg with his spouse, Yusra Begg.
Kami Ji an accomplished musician was also present.
Promoters Aamir Makhani and Rehan Siddiqui were also among the attendees, alongside other community representatives. Along with the famous journalist Raja Khan Zada.
Frisco concert follows
The Plano press conference came during Rahat's North American concert tour, ahead of a scheduled Frisco performance on October 16.
Nearly three decades after Nusrat's death, the evening underscored the continuing reach of his music—and the next generation's commitment to carrying it forward. |
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KIZMET The Band -Raza and Yousuf Begg
Raza & Yousuf Begg, Bassist Kishwar Allahditta & Ahmed Jeddi
Raza & Yousuf Begg and Shahzaman
Imrana & Raza Begg with Rubina Samuel
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Nusrat sahab ki yaad mein baap bete ka saath gaana dil ko laga. Frisco mein Rahat sahab ko sunne ka intezar hai.
Hamza RehmanBaap bete ko saath sunna khaas raha hoga. Frisco concert ke liye main bhi excited hoon.
Raza Begg ke lead solos Tribute to Junoon mein bohat ache thay, Yousuf Begg ka bass bhi. North Texas mein aise musicians hona achi baat hai.
Priya D.Haan, dono ko saath sunne ka maza hi alag hai. Umeed hai KIZMET ka aur show hoga.
Rahat sahab ka peace wala message acha hai. Bas umeed hai Frisco concert mein bhi music ko itna hi waqt milega.
Sikh attendees ka zikr dekh kar khushi hui. Nusrat sahab ki awaaz hamare ghar mein bhi sab ko pasand hai.
Kiran GillHamare ghar mein bhi Nusrat sahab sab sunte hain. Unki awaaz waqai sab ko jor deti hai.
Yeh sun kar khushi hui ke Nusrat sahab ki awaaz aapke ghar mein bhi sab ko pasand hai. Gathering mein mukhtalif communities ki shirkat unki music ki isi pahunch ki yaad dilati hai.
Nusrat sahab ko guzre itne saal ho gaye, phir bhi unki qawwali har generation sunti hai. Rahat sahab ko salaam.
Danish RazaBilkul. Mere bachay bhi unki qawwali sun kar poochte hain ke yeh kaun ga raha hai.
Rahat sahab ki awaaz apni jagah kamaal hai. Shahzaman ko bhi apna style banane ka waqt milna chahiye.
Zara H.Sahi kaha. Shahzaman ko seekhne aur apni pehchan banane ka waqt dena chahiye.
Aapki baat durust hai. Shahzaman ne bhi kaha ke woh is muqable ko izzat samajhte hain aur abhi seekhne par tawajjo de rahe hain.
KIZMET ke musicians bhi tribute mein thay, North Texas ke artists ko wahan dekh kar acha laga.
Bilkul, KIZMET ke Raza Begg aur Yousuf Begg bhi tribute mein maujood thay. North Texas ke artists ki shirkat dekh kar khushi hui.
Shahzaman ke liye itni purani family tradition aage le jana asaan nahi hoga. Uska seekhne wala attitude acha laga.
I am curious whether KIZMET will play with Rahat at the Frisco concert. It would be fun to hear local musicians involved.
It would be exciting to hear local musicians join in. KIZMET members attended the Plano gathering, but we don’t have confirmation that they’ll perform at the Frisco concert.
Junoon tribute mein Yousuf Begg ki bass ne songs ko alag energy di thi. Acha laga woh bhi Nusrat sahab ki yaad mein aaye.
Usman TariqYousuf ki bass us concert mein sach mein ubhar kar aayi thi. Unko yahan dekh kar acha laga.
Nusrat sahab ka 78th birthday cake ke saath manana bohat pyara idea tha. Plano walon ne achi yaadgar shaam banayi.
Rabia SheikhCake wala hissa mujhe bhi acha laga. Itni badi shakhsiyat ko yaad karne ka pyara tareeqa tha.
Shukriya! Cake aur Nusrat sahab ki yaad mein father-son performance ne is gathering ko khaas bana diya.
Sufi rock aur qawwali ka apna apna rang hai. KIZMET ke musicians ka Rahat sahab ki gathering mein aana bilkul fit laga.
Bilkul, dono traditions ka apna rang hai. KIZMET ke musicians ki maujoodgi ne North Texas ki music community ko bhi is tribute se jora.
October 13 ko Plano mein itna acha tribute hua aur mujhe baad mein pata chala. Frisco wala concert miss nahi karna.
Elders ki respect wali Nusrat sahab ki naseehat simple hai magar zaroori. Acha laga Rahat ne woh baat sab ke saath share ki.
Rabia NoorBilkul. Apne ustad ki woh seekh itne saalon baad bhi yaad rakhna bohat achi baat hai.
Shahzaman ko sunne ka mauqa abhi nahi mila. Frisco show mein woh bhi Rahat sahab ke saath perform karega kya?
Frisco mein 16 October ko Rahat sahab ka concert scheduled hai, lekin Shahzaman ki wahan performance ki tasdeeq hamare paas nahi hai.
KIZMET ka Tribute to Junoon concert dekha tha, Raza ke solos aur Yousuf ki bass dono zabardast. Inko Plano tribute mein dekh kar khushi hui.
Javed SiddiqiWoh Junoon tribute mujhe bhi yaad hai. Dono ka is gathering mein aana acha laga.
Apni yaad share karne ka shukriya! Raza aur Yousuf Begg ki Plano tribute mein shirkat ne local music community ki maujoodgi ko aur numayan kiya.
Rahat sahab aur unke bete ko saath dekhna special hai. Kaash press conference ki performance zyada log sun paate.
Meena ShahSahi kaha. Press conference mein jagah kam hoti hai, concert mein shayad zyada log dono ko saath sun saken.
Rahat sahab aur Shahzaman ko saath perform karte dekhna waqai khaas tha. Umeed hai aage aur logon ko bhi unki music sunne ka mauqa milega.
Shahzaman ko sirf Nusrat sahab jaisa kehna thora unfair lagta hai. Uski mehnat aur apni awaaz ko bhi sunna chahiye.
Rahat's point about music crossing language and religious differences feels especially fitting for North Texas. There are so many communities here to share it with.
Beautifully put. The mix of communities at the Plano gathering reflected Rahat’s message about music bringing people together.
Main Indian hoon aur ghar mein Nusrat sahab ki qawwali bachpan se sunti aayi hoon. Plano mein sab ka ikatha hona acha laga.
Mere abu Nusrat sahab ki qawwali roz sunte thay. Rahat aur Shahzaman ko unki legacy aage le jate dekh kar khushi hoti hai.
Mehwish AliHamare ghar mein bhi Nusrat sahab ki qawwali aksar chalti thi. Kuch awaazein bachpan se judi reh jati hain.
Aapke abu ki yeh yaad share karne ka shukriya. Nusrat sahab ki qawwali ka asar naslon tak pohanchna unki legacy ka khoobsurat hissa hai.
I like that the birthday cake was shared with everyone at the Plano gathering. Small moments like that make a tribute feel personal.
Linda PerezYes, sharing cake makes it feel more like a family gathering than a formal press event.
Nusrat sahab ko guzre itne saal ho gaye, phir bhi Plano mein log unki birthday manane aaye. Yehi unki music ki taqat hai.
Faisal MahmoodMere parents ab bhi unki recordings lagate hain. Itne saal baad bhi awaaz utni hi asar karti hai.
Bilkul, Nusrat sahab ki music ka asar aaj bhi logon ko ek jagah laata hai. Plano mein unki 78th birth anniversary par yahi jazba nazar aaya.
It is good to see a younger singer carrying on qawwali, though I hope Shahzaman gets room to develop his own voice too.
Nikhil ShahAgreed. Learning from his family is special, but he should have room to sound like himself.
The sehra performance sounds like a meaningful way to remember Nusrat. I wish there were a little more detail about what they performed.
Ayesha R.I wanted that detail too. I'd be curious to know which sehra they chose and whether Shahzaman sang with Rahat on it.
It was a moving tribute. We know father and son performed a sehra associated with Nusrat, but we don’t have a fuller setlist to share.
I had not heard of the local band KIZMET before this gathering. I would be interested in hearing how their Sufi rock sounds.
KIZMET is a North Texas Sufi rock band, and it was lovely to see its members at the tribute. We hope you get a chance to hear them.
Tom BeckerI hadn't heard of KIZMET either. Sufi rock sounds like an interesting mix, especially from a North Texas band.
Comparing Shahzaman's voice to Nusrat's seems like a lot of pressure. I am glad he is focused on learning the tradition in his own way.
Farah QureshiThat's a hard comparison for anyone to carry. I liked that he spoke about learning rather than trying to live up to it.
We felt that, too. Shahzaman called the comparison an honor while making clear that he is still learning and carrying the family tradition forward.
Nusrat sahab ka sehra father aur son ne mil kar perform kiya, kya khoobsurat tribute hoga.
Imran MalikHaan, sehra sunna khaas raha hoga. Kaash performance ki recording bhi mil jaye.
I liked hearing that Pakistani, Indian and Sikh neighbors came together for the tribute. Music can make those conversations feel a little easier.
Priya NairI thought so too. It's nice to see neighbors from different communities sharing something they all care about.
Rahat aur Shahzaman ki performance mein woh sehra sunna khaas raha hoga. Kya kisi ko pata hai Frisco mein bhi woh gaayenge?
Rida S.Abhi Frisco ke gaane ki list ka kuch pata nahi. Agar sehra gaayen to bohat khaas hoga.
Plano mein Pakistani, Indian aur Sikh community ko ek saath dekhna acha laga. Rahat sahab ki music wali baat bilkul sahi hai.
Humein bhi is gathering ka yahi pehlu bahut acha laga. Rahat sahab ne yaad dilaya ke music sarhadon aur zubanon se aage logon ko jor sakti hai.
Did they announce where the Frisco performance will be held? October 16 is close, and I would like to know whether I can make it.
Kevin L.I looked through the article again and didn't see a venue listed. Hopefully they share that soon since it's tomorrow.
Yousuf Begg ka bass Tribute to Junoon mein bohat solid tha. Acha hai North Texas ke musicians Nusrat sahab ko yaad karne aaye.
KIZMET ke Tribute to Junoon mein Raza Begg ka guitar sun kar maza aa gaya tha. Plano mein unki attendance dekh kar muskurahat aa gayi.
Frisco performance ke tickets ka soch raha hoon. Rahat sahab ko live sunne ka mauqa roz roz nahi milta.
Imran H.Main bhi tickets lene ka soch rahi hoon. Rahat sahab ki awaaz live sunne ka alag hi maza hai.
Cake wala moment pyara laga, Nusrat sahab ki 78th birthday ko aise yaad karna chahiye. Music aur family dono saath thay.
KIZMET ke Raza aur Yousuf ko Nusrat sahab ke tribute mein dekh kar acha laga. Unka Tribute to Junoon concert bhi yaadgar tha.
Frisco mein 16 October ka concert hai? Rahat sahab ko live sunne ka dil kar raha hai.
Farhan QureshiHaan, article ke mutabiq 16 October ko Frisco mein hai. Live qawwali ka maza hi alag hota hai.
Ji, article ke mutabiq Rahat sahab ka Frisco concert 16 October ko scheduled hai. Umeed hai aap unhein live sun paayenge!
My parents played Nusrat's music at home when I was growing up. Seeing Rahat and Shahzaman perform together brings back a lot of memories.
Thank you for sharing that memory. Seeing Rahat and Shahzaman perform together made the music’s connection across generations feel especially vivid.
Sana MalikSame here. My dad always had Nusrat playing on weekend mornings, so seeing three generations connected through the music means a lot.
I appreciated Rahat's story about learning to respect senior artists from his uncle. That is a good lesson for musicians at any stage.
We appreciated that story, too. Rahat’s reminder to respect senior artists and elders feels just as valuable beyond the stage.
It is nice to see Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan remembered in Plano. The Frisco concert on October 16 gives local fans another chance to hear his music.
We’re glad Plano could be part of the remembrance. Rahat’s October 16 Frisco concert offers local fans another opportunity to hear him perform.
Shahzaman ne kaha ke woh abhi seekh raha hai, mujhe uski yeh baat pasand aayi. Family legacy ke saath pressure bhi hota hoga.
Pakistani aur Indian logon ke saath Sikh attendees bhi aaye, yeh dekh kar acha laga. Qawwali ka asar borders se aage hai.
Bilkul, Pakistani, Indian aur Sikh attendees ka ek saath aana is gathering ka khoobsurat pehlu tha. Rahat sahab ne bhi music ki borders se aage logon ko jorne ki taqat par baat ki.
Nusrat sahab ka sehra unki yaad mein gaana bohat emotional raha hoga. Kaash Plano mein us waqt maujood hoti.
Mariam T.Mera bhi yehi khayal tha. Sehra sun kar wahan ka mahaul kaisa hua hoga.
Nusrat sahab se mansoob sehra unki yaad mein perform kiya gaya, yaqeenan ek pur-asar lamha tha. Kaash aap bhi wahan hotin.
Raza Begg ke lead solos KIZMET ke Tribute to Junoon mein sach mein amazing thay. Yousuf ka bass bhi poore set ko sambhal raha tha.
Danish QureshiYousuf ne rhythm bohat achi pakri hui thi. Raza ke solos ke saath set khoob jama tha.
Frisco ka October 16 wala concert ab aur bhi exciting lag raha hai. Umeed hai Shahzaman bhi Rahat sahab ke saath gaayega.
Farah S.Umeed to meri bhi yehi hai. Article mein Shahzaman ke Frisco mein gaane ki tasdeeq nahi thi.
Rahat sahab ne apne uncle se elders ki izzat wali baat seekhi, yeh sun kar acha laga. Itni shohrat ke baad bhi yaad rakha.
Hassan MalikMujhe bhi woh baat achi lagi. Rahat sahab ne apne uncle ka zikr bohat izzat se kiya.
KIZMET ka Tribute to Junoon suna tha, Yousuf Begg ka bass abhi tak yaad hai. Plano gathering mein band ko dekhna nice surprise tha.
Plano gathering mein KIZMET ke Yousuf Begg ko dekh kar aapko achha laga, yeh jaan kar khushi hui. Local musicians ka is tribute mein shamil hona bhi khaas tha.
Shahzaman ki awaaz ko Nusrat sahab se compare karte hain, lekin uska seekhne wala jazba bhi acha laga.
Shahzaman ki awaaz ka Nusrat sahab se comparison samajh aata hai, lekin usko apni pehchan banane ka waqt bhi milna chahiye.
Rahat sahab ne elders ki izzat wali baat bohat achi ki. Yehi seekh Nusrat sahab ne unko di thi.
Bilal AhmedWoh baat dil ko lagi. Apne ustad se mili seekh ko aaj tak yaad rakhna badi baat hai.
Rahat sahab ki baat dil ko lagi, music waqai logon ko qareeb la sakti hai. Plano mein itni communities ka milna acha laga.
Sana K.Bilkul, Plano mein sab ka saath aana dekh kar acha laga. Music par baat shuru ho to faaslay kam lagte hain.
Plano mein Rahat Fateh Ali Khan aur Shahzaman ko saath dekh kar bohat khushi hui. Nusrat sahab ki yaad taza ho gayi.
Ayesha K.Bilkul, dono ko saath dekh kar Nusrat sahab ki purani recordings yaad aa gayin.
Bilkul, Rahat aur Shahzaman ko saath dekhna Nusrat sahab ki yaad ko aur bhi zinda kar gaya. Shukriya apni khushi humse baantne ke liye.
KIZMET ke Tribute to Junoon concert mein Raza Begg ke lead solos kamaal thay. Acha laga unko is tribute mein bhi dekh kar.
Bilal AhmedRaza ke solos mujhe bhi yaad hain. Acha laga North Texas ke musicians is mehfil ka hissa thay.
Plano mein Rahat Fateh Ali Khan aur Shahzaman ko saath dekh kar bohat khushi hui. Nusrat sahab ki yaad taza ho gayi.
Ayesha M.Dono ko saath dekhna khoobsurat lamha raha hoga. Nusrat sahab ke gaane hamare ghar mein bhi chalte rehte hain.