For the first time at Azahara, join a unique four-night retreat with the renowned and soulful Al Firdaus Ensemble. This is an incredible opportunity to explore the rich traditions of maqāmāt (musical modes) and rhythm through the lens of faith, culture, and history—guided by masters of the craft. Between sessions, rest and reflect in the tranquil beauty of the Andalusian Mountains. Open to all levels.

29 OCTOBER - 2 NOVEMBER - REGISTER BELOW - EARLY BIRD OPEN

Founded in Granada in 2012 by English violinist and singer Ali Keeler, Al Firdaus Ensemble brings together musicians from Spain, Morocco, England, France, and Venezuela.

Inspired by the Arabic word for “the highest place in paradise,” their music blends Western classical, Celtic, Flamenco, and Andalusian traditions. Their repertoire draws on the poetry of masters such as Ibn Arabi and Al-Shushtari, as well as rare 16th-century Morisco texts in Aljamiado, hidden for centuries after the expulsion of 1609.

With instruments from East and West, soaring Arabic vocals, and occasional whirling dance, they create performances that invite deep contemplation. They have performed worldwide and released three albums: Safa (2014), Nur (2017), and Shifa (2022).

Meet the Teaching Team

Ali Keeler

Born in London in 1973, Ali began learning to play the violin at the age of seven.

During his youth, he played in several orchestras. In 1991, he studied classical violin at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester, where he gained experience playing in a string quartet. He moved to Damascus, Syria, in 1998. During his time there, he learned to sing within the maqam tradition in the zawiyas of Damascus and Aleppo, receiving singing instruction from the well-known singer Ustadh Mustapha Karim. Applying his musical experience within the maqam tradition to the violin, he has developed a varied repertoire of Celtic, Syrian, Andalusian, and original compositions.

He moved to Granada in 2006 and began collaborating with musicians of Andalusian and flamenco tradition, learning the art of fusion. Ali helped found the Sufi music group "Al Kauthar" in 2007, with which he has performed internationally as a singer and violinist. In 2012, he founded the "Al Firdaus Ensemble," contributing as a soloist, violinist, arranger, composer, and producer.

With Al Firdaus Ensemble he has performed at various concerts and festivals worldwide.

Omar Benlamlih

Omar was born in Casablanca to a family of Sufi musicians and singers from Fez. At age 12, he enrolled in the Casablanca Conservatory, where he studied singing and percussion. He put his learning to work at Sufi gatherings in the various Zawiyas of Morocco. At 18, he moved to Granada to study business administration and management, and began participating in various groups with diverse musical genres: early music, Andalusian music, Sephardic music, fusions with flamenco, Celtic music, and jazz.

In 2004, he joined the Tangeri Café Orchestra, recorded his first album, and began his international tour, performing at the most prestigious European festivals: the European Jazz Expo in Sardinia, the Pompei Festival, the Lugano Festival, and the Bari Early Music Festival, among others.

In 2006, he founded his own group, "Ensemble Turat Al Andalus," which offers a variety of genres: Arabic-Andalusian and flamenco.

He has extensive experience with flamenco and has collaborated with several flamenco artists, including José Mercé, Moraito Chico, Carlos Zárate, and international artists such as Omar Faruk Tekbilek, Said Chraibi, Eugenio Bennato, and Farah Siraj, among others.

He is currently a musician and composer dedicated to reviving the legacy of Al-Andalus. He has been a member of the Al Firdaus Ensemble since its founding and has collaborated as a musician and co-producer on all three albums.

Youssef El Mezghildi

Youssef El Mezghildi, from Tetouan, studied Andalusian, Arabic, and classical music for 10 years at the Tetouan Conservatory, learning music theory and the lute, along with three years of piano. After graduating, he served as a professor at the same conservatory for a year. 

At the age of 25, he began playing the qanun. He received private lessons from ganun maestro Haj Ahmad Saidi and continued his self-taught learning of the instrument. He was fortunate to learn in Morocco from highly prestigious teachers: Mojtar Mfarej, with whom he learned the oud; Sayid Rahmani as a music theory teacher; and Mohammed Larbi Temsamani, former conductor of the Tetouan Orchestra and director of the Tetouan Conservatory. 

His extensive travels throughout Europe and the Arab world have provided him with the opportunity to work with groups and singers of different nationalities within a wide range of musical genres. In Orlando, United States, he worked for two years at Disneyland's Moroccan Pavilion as a member of a Moroccan musical group.

In Spain, he has collaborated with major artists such as Enrique Morente, José Mercé, Lole y Manuel, María Valverde, El Lebrijano, Farah Siraj, and many others. He has played with various groups in Morocco and Spain, covering diverse musical styles—Arabic, Andalusian, flamenco, medieval, and Sufi—with the Chekara Orchestra of Tetouan, Nawba Andalusya, Al Tarab, Turat Al Andalus, Alquimista, and Al Kauthar.

A versatile musician and composer, he recorded on all three of Al Firdaus Ensemble's albums.   

Muhammad Dominguez

Carlos Zarate

He began studying guitar at the age of 12 under the tutelage of Rafael Morales and Pepe "El Marino," completing his training with singers Manuel Ávila and Miguel Burgos "El Cele," among others. 

He has collaborated with internationally renowned artists such as Enrique Morente, Manolo Escobar, Raphael, and Maria del Monte. He has participated in numerous international flamenco-fusion festivals. He is the founder and director of The Advanced School of the Art of Flamenco. He has recorded several CDs, including Meligmas Flamencas II, Placeta 7, and Tingitana, and has also written several books on the guitar, including The Physical and Mental Study of the Guitar; Modes of Life.

Carlos started performing with Al Firdaus Ensemble in 2017 and has participated in numerous concerts in Spain and abroad, including their UK tour in 2018, the Fez Sufi Music Festival in the same year, the UK tour in 2022 and the America tour in 2023. He has recorded on two albums: "Nur" in 2017 and "Shifa" in 2022.

The retreat will also feature:

-A journey through the seven main maqāms

-Sessions on the Qasīda al-Burda, the iconic 13th-century poem in praise of the Prophet ﷺ by Imām al-Būṣīrī, with a special focus on the Moroccan rendition

-Exploration of the call to prayer (adhān) in different maqāms—learning how melody and devotion intertwine in this sacred art

-Breathing and voice exercises

Sample Daily Schedule

Day 1 - Voice, Maqams (Nahawand and Ajam) , and Basic Percussion

• 8:00 AM - Breathing, Quran recitation (Fatiha) and Meditative Chanting

• 9:00 AM - Breakfast

• 10:30 AM - Maqam nahawand and Ajam Vocal Technique

Lunch & Siesta

• 4:00 PM - Basic Percussion Workshop (Baladí , Saidi, Malfuf , Wahda)

• 5:30 PM - Integrative Practice (Voice, Maqam nahawand and Ajam )

• Adhan Session ( Part 1)

Dinner

• Evening programme - Performance with musical/historical discussion.

Closing session with Dhikr

Early Bird Rates after 1 September

Participants from outside of Spain:

• 1350 euros — without accommodation (tuition and meals only)

• 1450 euros — zawiya and kheima sharing with four-five people

• 1550 euros — shared room of 2-3 people

Standard Rates after 1 September

Participants from outside of Spain:

• 1450 euros — without accommodation (tuition and meals only)

• 1550 euros — zawiya and kheima sharing with four-five people

• 1650 euros — shared room of 2-3 people

Locals:

• Please indicate you are a local in the registration form and we’ll get in touch with you.

Note:

• We are offering payment plans. If you wish to enquire about this option, please specify in the form.

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REGISTER NOW - LIMITED SPACES AVAILABLE