Iconic Pakistani singer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan has received an honorary degree from the famous Oxford University.
The prestigious ceremony took place earlier this week at the world-renowned university. The Qawwali singer was presented with the degree of Doctor of Music, as announced by the university previously.
Talking about the recognition, Rahat said: “I am honoured to be accepting this degree from Oxford University, a world-famous educational institution. This is a very special day for my family and I, but also for my fans, who have shared this journey with me.
To be presented with this honour is a massive achievement and I am happy that my music has allowed me to reach such incredible heights.”
Oxford University have previously recognised the work of Ustad Rahat Fateh Ali Khan by naming one of their prestigious music halls after the maestro.
He carries the torch for a family which has a rich cultural history in music, a heritage which includes over 600 years in Sufi and Qawwali music folklore, initially made famous in modern pop culture but Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, the uncle of Ustad Rahat Fateh Ali Khan. In recent times Ustad Rahat Fateh Ali Khan has won numerous globally recognised awards,
The international singer performed at Oxford Town Hall on Thursday to celebrate the honour.
The special evening marked the occasion with a stellar performance of Qawwalis by Ustad Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, and explored his family legacy and looked back at his career to date. All profits generated from the event will be used to enhance the Faculty of Music’s Sounds of South Asia series.
