Sufi Soul (UK)

With a dogmatic and fundamentalist view of Muslims increasingly predominant in the Western media, there has never been a more important time to show an alternative view of Islam. Sufism is the mystical dimension of Islam that preaches peace, tolerance and pluralism. And it encourages music, which is seen as a way of getting closer to God. Sufi music is literally some of the most ecstatic in the world. This documentary by Simon Broughton looks at Sufism and its music in different part of the Islamic world – Syria, Turkey, Pakistan and Morocco.

Simon Broughton worked as a music and documentary director in the BBC for many years, before going freelance in 1997 as a journalist and film maker. He’s made many documentaries, several of which have won awards or been released on DVD.

He’s also co-editor of the Rough Guide to World Music and Editor in Chief of Songlines, the world music magazine. Sufi Soul: The Mystic Music of Islam is released by World Music Network.