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Thursday, December 07, 2006

# Posted 11:09 AM by Patrick Belton  

TRACK OF THE DAY: Azeri-Iranian-born British Muslim Sami Yusuf, who draws inspiration from U2 (see Irish Times interview) releases what are hailed as the first Islamic music videos to accompany the first and final tracks of his album Al Mu'allim; this afternoon I have found them quite lovely and captivating, and evocative both of Gregorian chant as well as Qur'anic recitation. Do click on the links and listen. Yusuf has also recently released an album entitled My Ummah, with tracks in Arabic, Turkish and Farsi, dedicated to his mother.

During his concerts, Yusuf asks his audience to cheer if they are proud to be British; and when they respond loudly, he answers he cannot hear them and asks that they cheer again. See also his gentle, scholarly rebuttal to Yvonne Ridley's somewhat strident criticism that one cannot be both Muslim and a popular musician. (Thus the ever-thoughtful Ridley: 'How can anyone be proud to be British? Britain is the third most hated country in the world. The Union Jack is drenched in the blood of our brothers and sisters across Iraq, Afghanistan, and Palestine.')
(5) opinions -- Add your opinion

Comments:
Yvonne Ridley's somewhat strident criticism that one cannot be both Muslim and a popular musician.

The link is broken.
 
Thanks, anon! All sorted now.
 
Yvonne Ridley's somewhat strident criticism that one cannot be both Muslim and a popular musician.

She might need to check her sources:
http://www.mountainoflight.co.uk

She is newly converted, so I wouldn't take her enthusiasm seriously.
I think his work is impressive. Whether Islamic or not, giving youth something of value and identity rather than of getting high and getting hos, is something to be appraised, not attacked illogically and melicously.
 
Hi,

I really appreciate the info you posted in this blog. Thanks.
Stephanie.
 
Patrick, do you have any thoughts on the debate going on now between David, Patrick (and to a lesser extent, Taylor) and the Anon brigade?
 
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