Jump to content

Maher Zain

Checked
Page protected with pending changes
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Maher Zain
ماهر زين
Zain performing inKonya,Turkey, in March 2014
Born
Maher Mustafa Maher Zain
ماهر مصطفى ماهر زين

(1981-07-16)16 July 1981(age 43)
Tripoli,Lebanon
Occupations
Years active2009–present
Musical career
Genres
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • guitar
  • piano
  • keyboard
  • percussion
  • synthesizers
LabelsAwakening
Rotana

Maher Zain(Arabic:ماهر زين;born 16 July 1981)[2]is aLebanese-SwedishR&Bsinger, songwriter and music producer.[3]He released his debut albumThank You Allah,an internationally successful album produced byAwakening Records,in 2009. He released his follow-up albumForgive Mein April 2012 under the same production company, and a third albumOnein 2016.

Career

[edit]

Early life

[edit]

Maher Zain'sLebanesefamily emigrated toSwedenwhen he was eight years old.[4]He completed his schooling there, gaining a bachelor's degree inaeronautical engineering.After university, he entered the music industry in Sweden, and in 2005 linked up with theMoroccan-born Swedish producerRedOne.[5]When RedOne moved to New York in 2006, Zain soon followed to continue his music industry career in the United States, producing for artists such asKat DeLuna.[6]

On returning home to Sweden, Zain became engaged once more with his Islamic faith[7]and decided to move away from a career as a music producer to become a singer/songwriter of contemporary R&B music with a strongIslamicinfluence.[8]

Breakthrough and success

[edit]

In January 2009, Zain began working on an album withAwakening Records.His debut album,Thank You Allah,with 13 songs and two bonus tracks, was released on 1 November 2009 with percussion versions and French versions of some tracks released shortly afterwards.[9]Earlier, he had published some of his tracks onSony Music GroupandRotana Music Group,though his tracks became popular atAwakening Music.

Zain and Awakening Records successfully usedFacebook,YouTube[10]andiTunesto promote tracks from the album.[11][12]In early 2010 his music very quickly gathered a huge online following in Arabic-speaking and Islamic countries as well as among young Muslims in western countries.[13]By the end of 2010, he was the most Googled celebrity in Malaysia for that year.[12]Malaysia and Indonesia have been the countries where he has had the most commercial success. The albumThank You Allahhas been certified multiple platinum by Warner Music Malaysia and Sony Music Indonesia.[5]It became the highest selling album of 2010 in Malaysia.[14]

Zain sings mainly in English but has released some of his most popular songs in other languages. The song "Insha Allah", for example, is now available in English, French, Arabic, Turkish, Malay and Indonesian versions. Another song, "Allahi Allah Kiya Karo" ( "Continuously Saying Allah" ), is sung inUrduand features thePakistanborn Canadian singerIrfan Makki,[11]while his 2012 song Asalamu Alayka was sung in about six different languages, including Arabic, English Turkish, beyond others.

Zain has performed concerts around the world, including in theUK,theUnited States,Malaysia,Indonesia,Saudi ArabiaandEgypt.He has fan clubs in several countries including Malaysia, Egypt, and Morocco.[15]He took part in the judging committee of the Awakening Talent Contest to choose Awakening Records' new star in 2013.[16]

Collaborations, appearances and awards

[edit]

In January 2010, Zain won Best Religious Song for 'Ya Nabi Salam Alayka', on Nogoum FM, a major Middle East mainstream music station, beating other prominent singers including Hussein Al-Jismi,Mohammed MounirandSami Yusuf.[17]

In March 2011, Zain released "Freedom",[11]a song inspired by the events and the actions of the people taking part in theArab Spring.

Zain was chosen as a Muslim Star of 2011 in a competition organized by Onislam.net.[18]In July 2011 he featured on the cover of the UK Muslim lifestyle magazineEmel.[19]

Zain was featured onIrfan Makki's track "I Believe" from his debut studio album of the same name.[20]

Zain has appeared in the 40-episode Indonesian TV dramaInsya-Allah.The show was aired on Malaysian satellite TV channel,Astro OasisandMustika HD,starting 17 July 2012, concurrent with the broadcasting of the show on Indonesia'sSCTV.[21]

In 2013, he took part in theColors of Peaceproject constituting songs based on works byFethullah Gülenon the albumRise Upwhere Maher Zain performs the track "This Worldly Life".[22][23]

Discography

[edit]

Albums

[edit]
Year Album details Certifications
(sales thresholds)
2009 Thank You Allah
  • 8× Platinum, Warner Music Malaysia[14]
  • 2× Platinum, Sony Music Indonesia[5]
2012 Forgive Me
  • 4× Platinum, Warner Music Malaysia[24]
2016 One

–

Compilations

[edit]
Year Album details
2014 Singles & Duets
  • Released: December 2014
  • Label: Awakening Records
  • Formats: Digital Download, CD
  • Total tracks: 15 tracks
2018 The Best of Maher Zain Live & Acoustic
  • Released: April 2018
  • Label: Awakening Records
  • Formats: Digital Download, CD
  • Total tracks: 14 tracks

Mini albums

[edit]
Year Album details
2013 Love Will Prevail
  • Released: April 2013
  • Label: Awakening Records
  • Formats: Digital download
  • Total tracks: 2 tracks
Ramadan
  • Released: June 2013
  • Label: Awakening Records
  • Formats: Digital download
  • Total tracks: 4 tracks
2014 Ramadan – Vocals Only Version
  • Released: July 2014
  • Label: Awakening Records
  • Formats: Digital download
  • Total tracks: 2 tracks
2021 Nour Ala Nour
  • Released: April 2021
  • Label: Awakening Music
  • Formats: Digital download
  • Total tracks: 6 tracks

Singles

[edit]
  • Palestine Will Be Free2009
  • Insha Allah2010
  • The Chosen One
  • Freedom2011
  • Ya Nabi Salam Alayka
  • For The Rest Of My Life
  • Samih 2014
  • Nas Teshbehlena
  • A'amarona A'amalona2015
  • Rahmatun lil'Alameen2022
  • Eidun Mubarak2022[25][26]

Videography

[edit]
Maher Zain at Tuisa charity concert in Essen, Germany (2012)
  • 2009:Palestine Will Be Free
  • 2009:Subhan Allah
  • 2010:Insha Allah
  • 2010:The Chosen One
  • 2011:Freedom
  • 2011:Ya Nabi Salam Alayka
  • 2011:For the Rest of My Life
  • 2012:Number One For Me
  • 2012:So Soon
  • 2012:Guide Me All the Way
  • 2013:Love Will Prevail
  • 2013:Ramadan
  • 2014:Muhammad (P.B.U.H)
  • 2014:Nas Teshbehlana(inArabicناس تشبهلنا)
  • 2014:One Day
  • 2015:A'maroona A'maloona(inArabicأعمارنا أعمالنا)
  • 2016:I am Alive(withAtif Aslam)
  • 2016:By my Side
  • 2016:Paradise
  • 2016:Peace Be Upon You
  • 2016:The Way of Love(withMustafa Ceceli)
  • 2017:Close to You
  • 2017:As-subhu Bada(inArabicالصبح بدا)
  • 2017:Kun Rahma(inArabicكن رحمة)
  • 2017:Medina
  • 2018:Huwa AlQuran
  • 2019:Ala Nahjik Mashayt
  • 2019:Live It Up(feat.Lenny Martinez)
  • 2019:Ummi
  • 2020:Antassalam
  • 2020:Asma Allah Alhusna (The 99 Names of Allah)
  • 2020:Break The Chains
  • 2020:Srebrenica
  • 2021:Nour Ala Nour
  • 2021:Huwa Ahmadun
  • 2021:Laytaka Ma'ana
  • 2021:Qalbi Sajad
  • 2021:Hubb Ennabi
  • 2021:Nuru Nebi(inTurkishNûru Nebi)
  • 2022:No One But You
  • 2022:Rahmatun Lil Alameen
  • 2022:Eidun Mubarak
  • 2022:Tahayya(withHumood AlKhuder)
  • 2022:Dima Maghreb(withHumood AlKhuder)
  • 2024:Ya Habiba Ya Falastin
  • 2024:Salla Alaika Rehman
  • 2024:Ey Ghafuru Rahim
  • 2024:Free Palestine
Featured in
  • 2011:I Believe(Irfan Makkifeat. Maher Zain) (in Irfan Makki's albumI Believe)
  • 2009:Never Forget(Mesut Kurtisfeat. Maher Zain) (in Mesut Kurtis' albumBeloved)
  • 2014:So Real(Raeffeat. Maher Zain) (in Raef's albumThe Path)
  • 2014:Eidun Saeed(Mesut Kurtisfeat. Maher Zain) (in Mesut Kurtis' albumTabassam)

Philanthropic activities

[edit]
  • In 2013, Zain performed inCanadaon a tour organised byIslamic Reliefto raise donations[27]fortyphoonvictims in thePhilippines.Zain took part in theUK"Sound of Light" event[28]organized byHuman Appeal Internationalin support of theSyrianpeople.[29]Zain also dedicated his song "Love will prevail" (sung in Arabic and English) to the Syrians.[citation needed]
  • Zain celebrated his birthday with his 3.9 million Facebook fans by asking them to donate money[30]to a United States–based charity organization that builds water wells in Africa.[31]His fans paid more than $15,000 within a few weeks.[30]
  • Zain took part in aLondonpro-Palestinian rally, joined by thousands of people, to call for the end toIsraelimilitary action inGaza.[32]In August 2014, Zain took part in "The Great Wall of China Trek 2014" a 10-day humanitarian mission in association with Human Appeal to raise donations for clean water to children in Gaza.[33][34][35]
  • Ahead of performing at the 2014Nansen Refugee AwardCeremony, Zain travelled toLebanonwithUNHCRto spend time with Syrian refugees and see UNHCR's frontline work.[36]Zain sang "One Day" about refugees inGeneva's Bâtiment des Forces Motrices for the award ceremony.[37][38]

References

[edit]
  1. ^Richards, Anne R.; Omidvar, Iraj (2014).Muslims and American Popular Culture.ABC-CLIO.p. 366.ISBN9780313379635.
  2. ^Maher Zain [@MaherZain] (16 March 2013)."It is not my birthday today!:) it is July 16...:))))"(Tweet) – viaTwitter.
  3. ^"Muslim pop megastar Maher Zain sings for Syria aid".BBC News. 13 November 2013.Retrieved24 August2014.
  4. ^"Maher zain's story".YouTube.Archivedfrom the original on 21 December 2021.Retrieved20 August2014.
  5. ^abcEntertainment (2011-08-10)."Maher Zain's Hip but Pious Soundtrack to the Arab Spring".The Atlantic.Retrieved 10 October 2011.
  6. ^Eena Houzyama (2010-10-11)."Thank God for Maher Zain".The Malay Mail,retrieved 10 October 2011Archived10 September 2012 at theWayback Machine
  7. ^Shahid, Omar (15 December 2011)."Maher Zain: 'My music is a message of Islam'".The Guardian.Retrieved20 August2014.
  8. ^"Maher Zain".IslamicLyrics, retrieved 10 October 2011
  9. ^Music & Festivals"Maher Zain Interview".Time Out Beirut,retrieved 14 October 2011Archived26 March 2012 at theWayback Machine
  10. ^Admin (2010-11-16)."Muslim Singer Maher Zain".NXT News,retrieved 14 October 2011Archived13 March 2012 at theWayback Machine
  11. ^abcLisa Siregar (2011-05-02)."A Portrait of  the Artist As a Young Muslim"Archived1 October 2011 at theWayback Machine.Jakarta Globe,retrieved 14 October 2011
  12. ^ab2011-08-26"Being pious in the heart of modernity".New Straits Times,retrieved 14 October 2011Archived26 August 2011 at theWayback Machine
  13. ^Sundus Awan (Transcribed) 2010-11-29."Maher Zain Interview"Archived4 September 2011 at theWayback Machine.The Muslim Youth Voice Website,retrieved 14 October 2011
  14. ^abMaher Zain receives 8 platinums in MalaysiaArchived4 September 2011 at theWayback MachineAwakening Worldwide,retrieved January 2011
  15. ^"Maher Zain Indonesia Fanclub".Facebook.Retrieved24 August2014.
  16. ^"Awakening Talent Contest – Talents Matter Most".EmmaGem. 11 July 2013. Archived fromthe originalon 20 February 2015.Retrieved20 August2014.
  17. ^News Summary (January 2010)."Maher Zain wins Nugoom FM's Best Song Award"Archived22 March 2014 at theWayback Machine.Awakening Worldwide. Retrieved 2 September 2011.
  18. ^"Insha Allah".Archived fromthe originalon 1 April 2012.Retrieved1 April2012.
  19. ^Issue 82 (July 2011).Maher Zain digital issue – OUT NOW!.Emel. Retrieved 18 October 2011.
  20. ^"I Believe Lyrics".IslamicLyrics, retrieved 18 October 2011.
  21. ^Maher Zain bintangi sinetronHarian Metroretrieved 26 June 2012Archived28 June 2012 at theWayback Machine
  22. ^"Barış için müzikal birlik"[Musical unity for peace].Radikal(in Turkish). 9 March 2013.
  23. ^ZamanOnline: Savaşın karşısına Hocaefendi’nin şiirlerinden oluşan albümle çıktılar(In Turkish)Archived11 March 2013 at theWayback Machine
  24. ^"Meet Maher Zain".New Straits Times.25 April 2012.Retrieved9 June2012.
  25. ^Eidun Mubarak,5 July 2022,retrieved7 July2022
  26. ^Singles & Duets,17 June 2015,retrieved7 July2022
  27. ^S. QAZI."Islamic Relief Canada Declared War On Hunger to Support Poor People".push.pk. Archived fromthe originalon 21 August 2014.Retrieved20 August2014.
  28. ^"Sound Of Light Official Website".Archived fromthe originalon 15 July 2001.Retrieved20 August2014.
  29. ^"Muslim pop megastar Maher Zain sings for Syria aid".BBC News. 13 November 2013.Retrieved20 August2014.
  30. ^abMaher Zain."My Birthday For Clean Water".Charity: Water.Retrieved7 December2017.
  31. ^"Koba Mender Community".Retrieved7 December2017.
  32. ^"Maher Zain – Freedom at the London demonstration GAZA protest 19/07/2014".YouTube.Archivedfrom the original on 21 December 2021.Retrieved20 August2014.
  33. ^"Great Wall of China Trek 2014 with Maher Zain & Omar Regan".Archived fromthe originalon 8 December 2017.Retrieved7 December2017.
  34. ^"Maher Zain treks through China for Gaza".Cape Town, South Africa:Voice of the Cape.18 August 2014.Retrieved20 August2014.
  35. ^"Maher Zain Instagram".Instagram.Archived fromthe originalon 24 December 2021.Retrieved20 August2014.
  36. ^"Maher Zain's Journey".UNHCR.Retrieved8 October2014.
  37. ^"UNHCR presents Nansen Refugee Award to courageous Colombian women".UNHCR. 29 September 2014.Retrieved8 October2014.
  38. ^Clar Ni Chonghaile (8 October 2014)."Colombian activists risk their lives to protect women from gang warfare".The Guardian.Retrieved8 October2014.
[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Maher_Zain&oldid=1253464342"