Description
Get ready to immerse yourself in the fascinating tales of two extraordinary musicians, Ian Abdal Latif Whiteman and Richard Thompson, as they take the stage with filmmaker, Ovidio Salazar, for a captivating conversation about the power of music, faith, and their encounters with real holy men and not-so-holy men.
Whiteman’s journey from a prominent member of the UK music scene to a Moroccan Sufi order is an inspiring and life-changing tale that will leave you in awe and is detailed in his illuminating and entertaining memoir, Average Whiteman. Joining him is long-time friend and legendary songwriter and guitarist with Fairport Convention, Richard Thompson, for a conversation that promises to be an unforgettable exploration of the early days of psychedelic rock and how Islam played a significant role in that scene.
Don’t miss this chance to delve into the key moments of music and British Islamic history with two brilliant musicians and a gifted filmmaker.
About the Speakers
Ian Abdal Latif Whiteman
Ian Abdal Latif Whiteman is a designer and musician resident in Andalusia, Spain where he lives with his American wife. He has four children and eight grandchildren. In the 1960s he studied architecture in London where he also worked as a musician performing and recording with many notable artists. A founding member of the groups Mighty Baby and The Habibiyya, he entered Islam in 1971. His career since then has been in book and typographic design, working closely with pioneering organisations like Zaytuna College and Cambridge Muslim College. He is a specialist in Andalusian classical singing and calligraphy.
Richard Thompson
Richard Thompson first came to fame in late 1960s as the lead guitarist and songwriter for the folk rock group, Fairport Convention, which he had co-founded in 1967. Since then, Richard has become an Ivor Novello Award-winning and GRAMMY® Award-nominated legend.
He holds a coveted spot on Rolling Stone’s ‘100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time’ and counts a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Americana Music Association in Nashville. In 2011, he gained an OBE.
Thompson’s influence can’t be overstated. Everybody from Robert Plant, Don Henley, and Elvis Costello to REM, Sleater-Kinney and David Byrne has covered his music.
About the Chair
Ovidio Salazar
Ovidio Salazar is an award-winning director with over thirty-five years’ experience in filmmaking. Originally from Santa Monica, California he began his studies in Theatre and Comparative Religions. To further his knowledge, he travelled to Europe and the Middle East where he studied in Paris, Istanbul, Cairo and finally London where he currently resides.
For several years he documented major redevelopment projects in the Holy Cities of Mecca and Madinah, before becoming the Series Producer for the BBC series ‘Faces of Islam’. He has directed several films on the pilgrimage to Mecca including segments of the IMAX production ‘Journey to Mecca’ and the BBC produced ‘Hajj – Journey of a Lifetime’. His films have screened worldwide and have won numerous international awards.
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