Sami Yusuf Vs Maher Zain Outline A brief

Sami Yusuf Vs. Maher Zain

Outline: �A brief about Sami Yusuf. �Reciting “Make Me Strong”. �A brief about Maher Zain. �Listening to “Paradise”. �Similarities. �Differences. �Influence. �Reception Theory. �Critics Perspective.

Samy Yusuf: �He was born in July 1980 into a musical family of Azeri origin Tehran, Iran, learning to play several instruments at a very young age and demonstrating a keen interest in singing and composing. �He studied music at several institutions and with famous composers and musicians including composers from the Royal Academy of Music in London, one of the world most prestigious music institutions. �He is a singer, songwriter & composer.

�In 2003 Yusuf released his first album “Al mualim" at the age of 23 �His second album “My Ummah" in 2005 �Third official album “Wherever you are“ 2010 �“Salam" is his fourth album 2012 �Yusuf's fifth official album "The Center“ 2015 �We chose “make me strong”

I know I’m waiting Waiting for something Something to happen to me But this waiting comes with Trials and challenges Nothing in life is free I wish that somehow You’d tell me out aloud That on that day I’ll be ok But we’ll never know cause That’s not the way it works Help me find my way My Lord show me right from wrong Give me light make me strong I know the road is long Make me strong Sometimes it just gets too much I feel that I’ve lost touch I know the road is long Make me strong

Maher Zain: �Age: 34 Years old. �Education: BA in Aeronautical Engineering �Maher Zain is a Swedish Islamic singer, songwriter & music producer of Lebanese origin. � He released 2 albums with Awakening Records, Thank You Allah (2009) & Forgive Me (2012). �Maher worked in New York with internationally renowned producer Red. One (Akon, Lady Gaga, etc) but he chose instead to make music that reflects his Islamic roots.

�Maher Zain’s first musical inspiration came from his father, who was a singer himself, performing locally in the beautiful Mediterranean city of Tripoli - Lebanon. �His famous statement which I like most “I loved the music but I hated everything that surrounded it, it always felt like something wasn’t right. ” Maher still felt like something is missing. Therefore, he was restless and eventually decided that the music industry and all that surrounded wasn’t the right place for him and he returned to Sweden. �In early 2009, Maher Zain re-entered the music industry albeit with a different kind of music and decided to work with Awakening Records (UK) on an album that reflects his identity – Arab, Muslim and Swedish.

�Maher Zain’s music (dynamic and modern mix of East & West) mixes the sounds of R&B with traditional spiritual, soul and contemporary pop music, not just updating spiritual music and inshad but fearlessly reviving it with contemporary flair. Maher’s songs are instant classics of great power and timeless, unassailably intense spirituality. �We chose his beautiful song “paradise”

I remember when I first met you I felt that God answered my call There was that one place I always thought about And I just wanted to be there with you The place that no eye has ever seen The place that no heart has ever perceived I had a great feeling inside of me That one day I’ll be there with you And now that we’re here feeling so good About all the things that we went through Knowing that God is pleased with us too It’s not a dream, this is so true Feeling the peace all around Seeing things we could never imagine Hearing the sound of rivers flow And we know we’ll be here forever The feeling is indescribable Knowing that this is our rewards

Similarities: �Both are lyrical poems. �Form (poetic style – ballad) �Rhyme scheme both have imperfect rhyme. �Both grew in an artistic family. �The message of both poets: �They are the Islamic messengers of peace, love, repentance & hope. �Meaningful & Islamic entertainment. �Supporting others, specially those in regions conflict.

Differences: �Make me strong & paradise are different in theme. . It is like that paradise continues the idea of the first one. �Sami is polyglot; since he knows more than one language, as Indian, French, English, Arabic, Azeri, Chinese & so on. �Maher mainly knows three languages: English, Arabic & Swedish. �Nationality of both as we said previously.

Influence: �There is about sex years between the appearance of Sami & Maher. Sami appears earlier sex years than Maher; so there is a strong possibility that Maher could be influenced by Sami. �But, the fact that they are both originally influenced by their fathers. *

Reception theory: �Both are well received & very popular. However, Maher Zain is much popular than Samy Yusuf according to their followers on FB & Twitter. �"Thank you Allah” & “forgive me” were in the top 10 bestselling albums on Amazon UK. �Sami also is one of the UK’s biggest exports in the last decade. In the course of 10 years, he has masterfully navigated through unchartered waters – he has won over the hearts and minds of millions from across the Middle East, Europe, North America and North Africa.

Critics perspective: �Some Islamic preachers rejected the idea of using musical instruments in the Nashid, justifying that these instruments is taboo in Islam. �But the majority of critics encourage this kind of meaningful songs, regarding the fact that it is better than listening to impudent songs.

Cat Stevens ( Yusuf Islam)

Yusuf Islam: � Thinking that his given name- Steven Georgiou- might not be memorable to prospective fans, he first chose the stage name Cat Stevens. � Steven Georgiou or Cat Stevens, also known as Yusuf Islam, is a British singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, humanitarian, and education philanthropist.

Yusuf Islam: �He was born on 21 July 1948 in London. �Inspired by the popularity of the Beatles, at 15 he extended his interest to the guitar. �In 1965, he began his musical career.

Yusuf Islam: �In December 1977, Stevens converted to Islam, and he adopted the name Yusuf Islam the following year. �In 1979, he auctioned all his guitars for charity and left his music career to devote himself to educational and philanthropic causes in the Muslim community.

Yusuf Islam: �In 2006, he returned to pop music – releasing his first album of new pop songs in 28 years, titled An Other Cup.

Conversion into Islam: �While on holiday in Marrakesh, Morocco, Stevens was charmed by the sound of the Aḏan- the call for prayer. �After he had heard the call for prayer, Steven asked about its meaning. �People described it to him as a “ music for God”

Conversion into Islam: �Stevens said, "I thought, music for God? I'd never heard that before – I'd heard of music for money, music for fame, music for personal power, but music for God!“ �In 1976 , Stevens nearly drowned off the coast of Malibu, California, United States, and said he shouted: "Oh, God! If you save me I will work for you. "

Conversion into Islam: �Stevens' brother David Gordon brought him a copy of the Qur'an as a birthday gift from a trip to Jerusalem. �Then Yusuf converted to Islam. �Following his conversion, Yusuf abandoned his music career for nearly three decades, after some sheiks had told him it was prohibited.

Music Genre: �Folk , music transmitted orally, or as music with unknown composers. �Pop, short to medium-length songs written in a basic format (often the verse-chorus structure) as well as the common employment of repeated choruses, melodic tunes, and hooks.

Music Genre: �Rock, centered on the electric guitar, usually as part of a rock group with electric bass guitar and drums. �Islamic, Muslim religious music

Influence: �Stevens emphasized that the advent of West Side Story , an American musical with a book by Arthur Laurents, in particular affected him, giving him a "different view of life".

Songs �Can’t Keep It In �Morning Has Broken �Moonshadow �God Is The Light “Islamic” �Bismillah “Islamic nasheed”

Music Life: Stevens performed in cafes, pubs, and coffee houses. His stage name, Cat Stevens. Mike Hurst (producer). Decca Records. “Mathew and son” “Tea for Tillerman” “Wild World”

Conversion to Islam Mostly drowned. (His promise to God) “I didn’t have any strength left, there was only one place to go, and that was God. I never doubted God’s existence but I never called on him because every thing had seemed all right in my life. This is life and death. ” 1977 -1979 ( Yusuf Islam) His money in favor of Muslim schools.

1983: Islamia primary school. 1922: a foundation that brought up all Muslim schools together in the UK. 90’s & 2000’s: didactic music that teaches children about their faith.

Returning back to music (1989) “I was getting criticism from the Muslim community, why are you picking up a guitar again? What’s happening to you? ” “Listen to me, this is a part of the Islamic civilization we have lost our contact with it, we lost our vibrant approach to life and culture. ” “There was so much antagonism in the world. ” People who want to remember me as Cat Stevens, welcome. Those who want me as Yusuf Islam, here we are. ”

Message: “I just want to write music from my heart and give people a message of hope and the search for a better life. ”

Thank You