*Independent Event* All are welcome, regardless of faith or background.

Experience Almaalad (also known as al-maʿālid or mawlid) for the first time in Cambridge, presented by the Al Bader Initiative from Fujairah, United Arab Emirates. Almaalad is a spiritual vocal art form through which communities across the Middle East have long shared a living heritage, celebrating love, compassion, and spiritual beauty through voice and verse.

All are welcome, regardless of faith or background. Whether you know this tradition well or are encountering it for the first time, we warmly invite you to come and share in an evening of beauty and friendship.

Please note that doors will close shortly before the advertised time, so we request that you arrive 15 minutes before the start time.

The Performance and Exhibition

Seated together in formation, an ensemble of men follows a lead singer in a call-and-response chant, while the steady pulse of the daff (frame drum) carries the poetry forward. The interplay of voice and rhythm gradually builds in intensity, immersing audiences in a living tradition rooted in devotion and community. Alongside the performance, Al Bader will exhibit unique calligraphy artworks and interactive Augmented Reality (AR) experiences, bringing word, art and voice together.

Free refreshments will be served.

Tradition and Contemporary Practice

Historically, Almaalad performances have recounted the birth and life of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) through devotional song and praise poetry. Today, the tradition is also performed at cultural occasions and weddings.

About Al Bader

Under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al Sharqi, Crown Prince of Fujairah (UAE), the Al Bader initiative was launched to promote the values of the honourable biography of the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, and to highlight its comprehensive principles and its impact on the lives of individuals. Al Bader is one of the largest initiatives of its kind, distinguished by its wide range of participation categories and the value of its prizes. It features a biennial award alongside publications, talks, workshops and activities throughout the year.

About The Cambridge Festival of Islamic Arts

The Cambridge Festival of Islamic Arts runs from 19 to 29 November 2026, bringing performances, exhibitions, lectures, and workshops to Cambridge's historic colleges, museums, and cultural spaces. Open to everyone, the festival celebrates the beauty and diversity of Islamic arts, and, fifty years on from the landmark 1976 World of Islam Festival, carries that spirit into our own time. Find out more at cfia.co.uk.

Description supplied by the event organiser.