EID MUBARAK: UNIFIED ALWAYS

It’s Eid! Mubarakis to all. 

The Global Concert which began yesterday in celebration of Eid ul-Fitr is reviving spirits all around the world!  “Ali Goyam” was included in that concert. It played during last 15 minutes of bandagi. Kinda perfect, huh? Watch that lovely video here.

The huge amount of programming I’ve seen from Ismailis says so much about what it means to be a part of an evolving and progressive community.  When I speak with Ismailis these days, (even one who was on the front line for a while), they seem minimally shaken by the covid crisis. They always find a way to adapt.  They always find a way to come through for each other and feel unified. 

I had an experience recently where I felt really alone, only to be rescued by Ismaili and non-Ismaili friends. I know you’ve read a lot about “Ali Goyam,”but here’s one more story I need to share. 

It’s about what happened when I realized I just didn’t have the know-how to speak the fullness of production magic into existence.

If you’ll take me at my word, I’ll tell you something almost completely unbelievable: A mind-reading-production-expert-friend came along.

Adnan Khoja. 

He knew production, but more than that, he knew ME. He’d been my friend for over a decade and knew exactly how my mind worked.  He knew that my gibberish amounted to a grand vision.   Adnan stayed up late several nights working on it even though he had to get up early for work in the morning. He answered calls at the most inopportune times.  He came through as MORE than a smart producer. He came through as a true friend. 

Adnan also helped me communicate my vision to the others involved.  It was amazing to see how friendship turned a near-debacle into an beautiful experience!  On the final night of Ali Goyam production, a few of us sat there talking, working, and laughing into the night.  That’s a memory I’m going to carry forward with. 

So, as we celebrate Eid, I also want to celebrate friendship.  And, I want to say thank you to so many friends who have come through for me over the last few months. You are SO appreciated. 

Here’s a pic of me and Adnan from back in 2011. So many musical memories!