Rahat Fateh Ali Khan honoured at UK Parliament
Renowned Pakistani singer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and his son Shah Zaman Khan have been honoured at a ceremony held at the UK Parliament in London, marking a moment of international recognition for South Asian music.
The event was attended by members of the British Parliament, including Tariq Ahmad, Mohammad Yasin and Afzal Khan, alongside members of the South Asian community. It was organised by musician duo Kashif Raja and Rubaiyat Jahan to celebrate cross-cultural musical excellence.
The recognition comes shortly after the father-son duo performed at London’s Royal Albert Hall, where they presented a repertoire blending classical qawwali with contemporary South Asian music.
Speaking at the ceremony, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan described the honour as a “moment of pride”, attributing his success to his parents’ blessings and years of dedication. Reflecting on his career, he emphasised music’s ability to bridge cultures and geographies.
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“With love, whatever I could give from my heart, I have shared with audiences everywhere,” he said.
The singer also revealed he is currently working on a Bengali-language song, signalling an effort to expand his reach to new audiences.
Born in Faisalabad into a family of qawwals and classical musicians, Rahat is the son of Farrukh Fateh Ali Khan, grandson of Fateh Ali Khan, and nephew of the legendary Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. He began training in qawwali under his uncle at a young age and joined his ensemble as a teenager, touring internationally, including the United Kingdom.
Over the years, Rahat has built a diverse career spanning traditional and mainstream platforms. He made his Bollywood playback debut with the song “Mann Ki Lagan” in the 2003 film “Paap” and went on to deliver several widely recognised tracks.
His 2014 song “Zaroori Tha” from the album “Back 2 Love” became a landmark in South Asian music, eventually crossing one billion views on YouTube. His work has also extended to international collaborations, contributing to soundtracks such as “Dead Man Walking”, “The Four Feathers”, and “Apocalypto”.
The London ceremony underscored the growing cultural exchange between South Asia and the United Kingdom, with organisers highlighting the role of music in fostering artistic dialogue across borders.
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