OUR STAFF REPORTER LAHORE A four-day International Mystic Music Sufi Festival organized by Rafi Peer Theatre Workshop in collaboration with The Royal Norwegian Embassy will start from Thursday at Alhamra Cultural Complex, Gaddafi. Faizan Peerzada while addressing a press conference at Lahore Press Club on Tuesday said that Sufi Music and expression of devotion from the Muslim World was one among a rare festival initiated in Pakistan. He said that the festival celebrated the tradition of devotional expression through the performing arts in Muslim and other faith communities. In the past, the artists from Europe, Middle East and South Asia had participated in the festival he said. He said the commencement of international Mystic Sufi Festival 2011 had a particular relevance this time as so many misconceptions had created a wide gap between the moderates and the conservatives minds. We hope that the experience of International Mystic Sufi Festival will assist an understanding of Muslim as those who submit to God and seek the middle path of balance between faith and world, din and dunya, avoiding extremes he further said. Faizan said the festival would provide a showcase into many traditions from throughout the Muslim world with hope that the performances would enable and appreciate Islams peaceful tradition. The Sufi festival seeks to showcase Islams rich diversity of devotional expression through the performing arts reflecting different geographies, languages and traditions, he added. While responding to a query about security measures, Faizan said he had a meeting with SP model town wherein he (SP) assured him for security.