She is conferred prestigious award at US Congress occasion for her contributions to music, cultural advocacy
KARACHI:
Internationally acclaimed Pakistani Sufi opera singer Saira Peter has been honoured on the “She Leads the Nations” International Summit, held at america Congress in Washington DC, in recognition of her contributions to music and cultural advocacy.
The worldwide summit introduced collectively ladies leaders, specialists and outstanding personalities from internationally, together with america, representing fields similar to authorities, media, enterprise, training, well being, defence and tradition. The initiative was based by Liz Doyle as a global extension of the She Leads America motion, launched in 2021, with the goal of recognising ladies making vital contributions of their respective fields.
Through the ceremony, 14 ladies leaders from world wide had been offered awards acknowledging their management, service and world influence.
Saira Peter, extensively considered Pakistan’s first Sufi opera singer, stated it was an honour to be invited to carry out on the US Congress and to obtain the She Leads the Nations Award. She carried out on the opening ceremony of the summit, describing the popularity at such a historic venue as a second she would all the time cherish.
She additionally revealed that she was invited for a particular go to by the US State Division, the place she was hosted by Belis Romero from the Workplace of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor. Peter stated she felt proud representing Pakistani tradition, posing for images in conventional apparel in entrance of the Pakistani flag.
Earlier than presenting the award, organisers acknowledged her efforts in introducing the Sufi message of peace and concord, impressed by the poetry of Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai, to worldwide audiences via music. Her work in selling the fusion of Sufi traditions with operatic efficiency and mentoring younger ladies artists was additionally highlighted.
Receiving the award, Peter stated she aimed to make use of Sufi music to unfold hope and dignity amongst underprivileged ladies and youngsters.
The viewers on the occasion warmly applauded her efficiency. Peter at present serves as Director of NJ Arts London and is the founding father of the Saira Arts Academy in Lahore, the place she trains younger ladies in opera singing.
Through the opening ceremony on the US Congress, she carried out the opera aria “I Know That My Redeemer Liveth,” dedicating it to oppressed ladies world wide.
Peter has given solo western classical performances within the UK, USA, Germany, Turkey and Pakistan.
Her 2016 Pakistan debut happened at Pearl-Continental Lodge in Karachi, adopted since by performances at main nationwide venues together with Mohatta Palace, Aiwan-e-Sadr (Presidential Palace, Islamabad), Governor Home in Karachi, Alhamra Artwork Middle in Lahore, Pakistan Nationwide Council of Arts (Islamabad and Lahore). She is recurrently invited by the Excessive Fee of Pakistan, London to sing at official occasions, which they characteristic on official social media.
Peter was ultimate choose after which chief choose on two consecutive seasons of Pakistan’s actuality collection Voice of Sindh.
In September 2021 she carried out a solo set on the worldwide Mystic Music Pageant in Konya, Turkey in commemoration of the start of Sufi poet Mevlana Rumi. With the help of Division of Tradition, Konya, Peter created a “fusion qawwali” based mostly on the poetry of Mevlana Rumi, that includes footage on the shrine of Mevlana Rumi in Konya.
In November 2025, Saira Peter carried out in Islamabad on the Sir Syed Memorial Auditorium below the auspices of the Silk Highway Tradition Centre. The live performance drew an viewers of music fans and cultural patrons, and former federal tradition minister Jamal Shah attended as chief visitor, commenting on her contribution to selling opera and fusion music in Pakistan.
