Abida Parveen's team clarifies health concerns

Fans of legendary Sufi singer Abida Parveen can breathe a sigh of relief. After a video of the revered artist reciting Man Kunto Maula at the National Museum of Qatar, Doha, while seated in a wheelchair went viral, concerns about her health quickly spread across social media.

In response to the growing speculation, Abida's team took to Instagram to clarify the situation and reassure fans of her well-being.

"Hello, everybody! We have been seeing lots of concern regarding a video of Abida Ji at the National Museum of Qatar, Doha, reciting Man Kunto Maula," her team shared via Instagram stories. "The concern is due to her use of a wheelchair and we would like to assure you of her wellbeing, Alhamdulillah."

Providing context, the statement added, "The exhibition she was visiting was a long walk, a distance of which she walked herself but for convenience reasons, a wheelchair was employed."

Concluding their message with gratitude, her team assured followers, "Your concern and worry is greatly appreciated, but rest assured, she is doing well. Thank you."

Abida's magic has enchanted audiences from all walks of life and crowds in every corner of the world for years. Whether a kalaam is in Arabic, Sindhi, Urdu, or Persian, Parveen has attempted it all with grace and nuance and believes that the "message of Allah" crosses all boundaries of language and race.

"The message of Sufism only concerns itself with God and humanity, everything else is worthless," the veteran said in a 2021 interview with BBC Urdu. "There isn't even a concept of man or woman in Sufism. The Sufis are a force of religion, a force of light, a force of Panjtan Pak, from which this Sufi music is inspired." Parveen went on to reiterate that the ethos of Sufism is egalitarianism and assured that the only thing Sufism identifies itself with is humanity.