An honour to receive honorary degree from Oxford University: Rahat Fateh Ali Khan

LONDON: Pakistani singer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan has said it is an honour for him to receive an honorary degree from the world-renowned Oxford University.

Khan will receive an honorary degree from Oxford University on June 26, the university had announced.

“Receiving this degree is an honour for me, my family and Pakistan,” Khan said.

An international music star, Khan will be presented with the degree of Doctor of Music at a ceremony this summer.

On announcing the news, Khan said, “It is an incredible honour to be recognised by Oxford University, a world-famous educational institution. June 26 will be very special for me, my family and everyone who has been part of this journey with me.”

“I am proud that my music has touched all corners of the globe and I want to thank Oxford University for giving me this honour and recognising my work in this way,” the Qawwal added.

Khan’s manager Salman Ahmed in a statement said, “It is our great pleasure to share this wonderful news with the world. Ustad Rahat Fateh Ali Khan’s tremendous devotion to Sufi and Qawwali music has been his life’s work and to be recognised with an honorary degree from Oxford University is a very special recognition to him personally but also to all those who have supported him and are helping to create a musical legacy.”

Previously, Oxford University had recognised Khan’s work by naming one of their prestigious music halls after the maestro. He carries the torch for a family which has a rich cultural history in music, a heritage which includes over 600 years in Sufi and Qawwali music folklore, initially made famous in modern pop culture by Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Khan’s uncle.

In recent times Khan has won numerous globally recognised awards, performed for the British royal family at Buckingham Palace, performed at the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony, and amassed over 1 billion views on his music videos.

His latest recognition will be one of his most distinguished to date.