Amjad Sabri the famous qawwal of Pakistan was on his way to participate in a Ramazan Show at a private TV channel with his relative Saleem Sabri, when unidentified men opened fire at his car near his house in Liaquatabad area of Karachi. Amjad Sabri died on the way to the hospital while Saleem Sabri breathed his last during treatment.
The whole country is in a state of shock over this killing. Politicians from all parties came forward to strongly condemn the heinous act. Social media has been flooded with intense condemnation of the murder and many have questioned the state at its failure to protect its citizens. The music industry not only in Pakistan but also from India have come forward to express their sentiments on this sad incident.
The Nation talked to singers and artists to get their opinion over this incident, Abida Perveen the iconic sufi singer through tears and choked voice said, “I am in a state of shock on hearing the news. A man who only recited Allah’s and Prophet’s ‘Kalam’ has been killed. What has Pakistan come too? There was no one before him and no one can replace him ever. He belonged to a very big ‘gharana’ and was always spreading Allah’s and Prophet’s message through his beautiful voice. His house had a different feel to it, even the neighbors use to hear his riazat which spread peace in the area.”
Nadeem Salaamat, Masood Salamat and Muhammad Ayub of Bakhshi Javed Salamat group condemned the attack and said, “We had a beautiful bond with Amjad Sabri. He has been killed unduly, he was an innocent man. I know everyone is being killed but people like him who take Allah’s and Prophet’s name are innocent people who are being killed without a reason.”
Zulfikar Jabbar Khan, also known as Xulfi said, “It’s a very sad day for us. We have lost an icon who was promoting peace and love through music. I don’t know what is happening and why is it happening in Pakistan. We should not be feeding hatred, love should be the only message that we should spread. I am very sad today.”
Sadaan Perzada, co-founder of Rafi Peer Theater Workshop, expressed his strong resentment on Amjad Sabri’s death, “He was heading the legacy of the family and was at his prime time when he has been killed. It’s very shocking for me, we can’t keep quiet about it. We have to be more vocal in condemning the act.”
Gohar Mumtaz, musician and actor said, “It’s a moment of grief, not only for showbiz fraternity but for the whole nation; and a big question mark of how an artist can be targeted. Amjad Sabri’s death is a huge loss for sub-continent, sufi-music and for all the qawaals. I would request the government to take care of the Sabri family. May he rest in peace and may Allah give strength to the bereaved families to bear the loss.”
Salman Ahmed, a singer said, “I was playing cricket two days ago with my smiling friend and colleague Amjad Sabri. Am devastated & shocked that his voice has been silenced.”
Hadiqa Kiyani, a singer, songwriter, and philanthropist said, “I am devastated at this news. He was the pillar of Qawwal’s in Pakistan. He was a human being of refined habits and always had a smile on his face. I met him a few times and the last I met him on Pakistan Idol where he helped me with my pronunciation for a Qawali. We have lost a legend today. All my prayers for his family, may Allah give them sabar.”
Ali Zafar, a singer and actor said, “It’s shocking and heart breaking. Don’t have words to express. Sad. Very sad indeed. I hope his murderers are brought to justice and his legacy lives on. I remember meeting him at the PSL match last but my fondest memory of him is him singing Channo many years ago with me on a bus ride to a concert.”
Husnain Javed, a classical singer had this to say, “What can I say this is so sad, he was close to me. We performed together once, I was playing harmonium. The people who matter have no shame, no one is safe here only corrupt people are safe. Artist is always a positive Ambassador of the country, but it is unfortunate that artists in Pakistan are not safe too.”
Junaid Khan, singer and actor said, “It’s an irreplaceable loss, a dark day in Pakistan’s history. These ‘terrorists’ should be killed now regardless of any party backup and anyone who comes in between this Government should do every possible thing to support his wife and kids.”
Farhan Saeed, Singer and actor, “It is a heart breaking incident. I don’t want to say this but Pakistan has no law and order left. Today we have lost a man who was very jolly, a smiling face. We should openly protest against this madness until it does not stop, but how many times will we do it? Every time something big happens media and civil society protests and after two days forget it. It’s a very sad day for us.”
Tasneem and Imran Peerzada said, “A voice of peace has been shot down. Today we have lost a legacy, who was carrying his family’s name forward. Qawaals have always given a message of peace and spread awareness in the society, it’s beyond our comprehension why was he killed. He was such a noble man with an enchanting voice, who surely will be missed in all times to come.”
Ahsan Khan, actor said, “It’s one of the saddest incidents ever for me, they have killed a beautiful human being. I knew him very well, met him often. He was the sweetest person. He was very young. The nation should get together and fight back. We should not panic, because that is there aim. It’s not about religion, sects, rather it’s about creating anarchy in the state. I am very sad that an artist of this caliber has been killed, who was known not only in Pakistan but in the sub-continent as a whole.”
The media is buzzing with this news, and the sad part is that just this morning in a Sehri Transmission he recited his last naat which saw the entire audience and crew in tears, which in hindsight we can say he almost predicted his passing away by saying that ‘when the time to go (die) came, please Prophet (PBUH) come in front of my eyes.’