Butterfly's Baqa

Featuring New Music: "My Freedom"

Dance With The Divine In Every Moment 

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Butterfly's Baqa

“Butterfly’s Baqa” is a heart-opening dance film that invites viewers to drop into their hearts and experience profound beauty. Featuring dancers Mariam-Saba Ahmad and Antonio Samayoa, the film showcases a traditional European waltz, set against the backdrop of modern American pop music. This unique fusion beautifully expresses ancient Eastern spiritual concepts, particularly the idea of “the Baqa,” which emphasizes Divine connection.

​The original song, “My Freedom,” written and performed by Mariam-Saba Ahmad, weaves together the film’s artistic elements into a cohesive message. Through this journey of movement and melody, “Butterfly’s Baqa” illuminates the truth that the freedom and connection we seek are always within our grasp, inviting us to return to the Divine in every moment.

New Music: My Freedom
Written and Sung by Mariam-Saba Ahmad

Moving Background Art
Created by
Mariam-Saba Ahmad

Expressed and Danced
In Part by
Mariam-Saba Ahmad

Film Release Date: December 20, 2024

Cast and Crew

Dancers: Mariam-Saba Ahmad, Antonio Samayoa
Choreographers: Chante Platt, Antonio Samayoa, Anthony Gallivan, Anya Malakhova
Additional Coaching: Bill Jacobsen, Anthony Gallivan, Cadin Webb
Songwriter: Mariam-Saba Ahmad
Singers: Mariam-Saba Ahmad, Sage Khoury
Music Producer: Christopher Newton, Luna Sound
Moving Artwork: Mariam-Saba Ahmad

Filming Director: Abby London
Videographer: Scott Hopson
Lighting & Sound Technicians: Rebekah Cole, Shanna Young, King Prescott
Safety: Sierra Brady, Trevor Velasco
Behind the Scenes: Consuelo Javier, Amanda Gentry
Post Production Film Editing: Scott Hopson, Abby London, Mariam-Saba Ahmad

The Music: My Freedom

Lyrics

Emerge, it’s time
I can’t go back, can’t go back
Old harms haunt me, how they haunt me
Bound, beaten, bruised
I choose the dark

Emerge, it’s time
I can’t go back, can’t go back
My hardened heart binds me
Cracked, weak, confused
I hide in safety

Emerge, it’s time
What is this call
It disturbs me
Deep yearnings stir
Inside me

Chorus:
In the light, is my freedom
In the wind, are my dreams
Dancing to the music
Set forth by my pleas
My freedom, my freedom is all a-round me
My freedom, my freedom is all a-round me

I don’t look back, don’t look back
My faith holds me, how it holds me
Strong, brave and true
I fall to fly

What is this call
It guides me
Deep yearnings stir
Inside me

(Chorus)

Broken wings mend
Broken hearts heal
Every wrong turn was really right
Broken dreams end
Dark times relent
Every answered prayer hidden in the night
It was all a set up
Just a great set up
So I could fly

(Chorus)

Mariam-Saba Ahmad

Meet The Artist

A proud Seattle native, Mariam-Saba Ahmad is a multi-talented creative with an astoundingly diverse background in academics and athletics. She holds a deep commitment to walking the Sufi path and serving Allah with humility in all she does. Whether breaking barriers as a pole-vaulter, collecting degrees in biochemistry and computer science, attending medical school and divinity school, qualifying as a Master Healer through the Institute of Spiritual Healing, winning competitions in competitive dancing, developing, writing and recording music for and performing in a dance film, releasing singles as a singer/songwriter or learning new painting techniques to bring her visions to life, the talented Mariam-Saba Ahmad is passionate about every opportunity life offers her.

Mariam-Saba Ahmad is a Master Spiritual Healer of the Islamic traditions. Her calling is to help individuals connect more deeply with themselves, so they can know and connect more deeply with the Divine.

Film Festival Winner!

Audience Reaction to Butterfly's Baqa

 "Brilliant!"

 "Wonderful!"

 "Beautiful!"

"This film was really gorgeous."

"Stunning...soul stirring and life affirming. From joyful and free dancing, the big open stage, dreamy lighting, to the song that was so full of hope and wonder."

"Hopeful feeling and upbeat."
"This film left me in a great place."​

Get Behind-the-Scenes stories sent directly to your email address.

Receive MP3 of "My Freedom" free. My gift to you. What's your best email?