The El-Hadra Troupe of Sufi chanters will give two performances in Cairo's historic El-Muizz Street on Saturday evening. Staged at 5pm and 8pm, the open air shows will be the first such events to take place in months, coming after the government announced a lifting of a number of restrictive coronavirus measures from Saturday. The lifting includes a return of cultural activities, which have been suspended since March. El-Hadra Troupe was founded by Nour Nageh, a Sufi devotee who wanted to share Sufi religious music with a wider audience. The term "hadra" is derived from the Arabic word "hodor", meaning "presence." It usually refers to a circle of Sufi chanters who recite the Quran and praise Allah and the Prophet Muhammad. What makes El-Hadra Troupe stand out is that they perform both the hadra rituals and zikr music, thereby reflecting the whole, authentic spiritual experience, from mosque to theatre. El-Muizz Street is one of the oldest streets in Egypt's capital, founded by Al-Moez Li-din Allah, the fourth Fatimid caliph. It is an eloquent witness to history, lined along both sides by various medieval-era monuments. It is located near two historic gates to Old Cairo -- Bab Fotouh and Bab Nasr-- in El-Darb El-Asfar, the most ancient quarter of the capital. El-Muizz Street was also once known for the copper industry, hence its nickname "Coppersmiths Street." To date, many coppersmiths are still located on the street. Entry to Saturday's performances will require prior reservations as only a limited number of attendees are allowed. Attendees will be required to follow precautionary measures. Programme: Saturday 27 June 5pm–6:30pm 8pm–9:30pm El-Muizz Street, Old Cairo For more arts and culture news and updates, follow Ahram Online Arts and Culture on Twitter at @AhramOnlineArts and on Facebook at Ahram Online: Arts & Culture
