Morocco's Very Own Tahra Hmamich Releases Two Ramadan Supplications

Tahra Hmimich worked very hard to reboot her music career and she is making a good run for religions songs/supplications. The young Moroccan songstress with a very fine set of vocal chords and a warm personality released two different tracks. Pause, the music label she is working with released them to the masses and they seem to have attracted thousands of viewers online.

The tracks are about having all the right intentions and making sins, asking for forgiveness and a chance for redemption. The second offers optimism and a bright light. I do appreciate the art work accommodating both tracks. You can also detect a Moroccan flavor on at least one of the prayers.

A for effort and A for being young non Egyptian and thinking of making such work

Tahra Hmimich - Allah Ya 3alem / طاهرة حماميش - الله يا عالم


Tahra Hmimich - Sho3a3 Men Nour / طاهرة حماميش - شعاع من نور

Ramy Sabry Ramadan Track - Yarab / رامي صبري - يارب

Ramy Sabry strikes me as someone who is not a big fan of the Egyptian revolution, he has criticized it and spoke well of some of its opponents. But this Ramadan--like every one he released a Ramadan track, a supplication for sure.

About fasting the month with good intentions and doing all the rituals. I am a fan of Ramy's music not his politics. He is smart composer and a gifted singer who knows how to make a good song and he carried himself well.

I am going to say when it comes to heartfelt pop songs, Ramy comes really close to the Amr Diab school. I am glad he continues to make music  and happy that he has gotten married now to focus on good music gone better.
Ramy Sabry - Yarab / رامي صبري - يارب 

Ahmed Sa'ad Outdoes Himself This Ramadan In "Ar-Rahman"

Egyptian man of the blues Ahmed Sa'ad is releasing a number of religious themed songs for this Ramadan, and I am impressed by how well those songs are done. For starter, you cannot get a more perfect voice for such songs than that on Ahmed Sa'ad.

He gets in the zone and brings you along with him as he voices some of those 99 names for Allah. His supplication heads straight to the heart, I know, it;s true in my case. I do not know where Ahmed has been hiding his talent, he should more of those songs as his flow and his pronunciation is ideal.

Ahmed Sa'ad - Ar-Rahman/ أحمد سعد - الرحمن

This Ramadan Meets Rock Music By 050 Band

Rock music has not ever be used to make a song about the Muslim month of Ramadan. Not until Egyptian band 050 had their new song. Just like most Ramadan songs, the spiritual message is there about faith and find the inner peace

It's certainly a fresh take on this genera, the vocals have a hard time matching the strong beat, but the overall the song by the band has its moment in the sun. Fans of this kind of music would most likely welcome the song, and those who like Ramadan might find something new about this single.

I know I think the vocals could have been sweeter a bit, yelling does not really scream faith to me.

050 Band - Ra7tak fe Emanak || زيروخمسين - راحتك فى إيمانك

Ramy Nawar Sings For Ramadan While Modling Too / رامى نوار - متقسمة الأرزاق

Ramy Nawar is one of the new voices trying to breakout in Egypt. Among his monitors and biggest fans is Libyan Egyptian iconic music personality Hamid El Shari who has featured Ramy on one oh his produced CD's for the up and coming voices

The song is about believing that the Lord will provide, he has determined who makes what amount of money, but we all have to work for it. Some call is luck, but as Ramy highlights, it's fate. What I do not like is his outfit, it really kills the song.

Ramy should have dressed down for this song, the song is not about him his jeans and his open shirt. He sounds really good, but I do not think he was lucky in his wardrobe choice. Again, this son might not sit well with most people. If there is anything religious people hate--all of them--hate pride and making the message about self.

Ramy Nawar - Met'asema El Arzaa / رامى نوار - متقسمة الأرزاق

What Do Arab Celebrities Do During Ramadan?

Most entertainers go into hiding in Ramadan, they focus on family, prayer and spiritual stuff. Some actors do work to finish up their work during the month of Ramadan. But most do not work in Ramadan and take a sabbatical. Elaph, interviewed some ladies of Arabic entertainment to ask them the following question, What do you do during the month of Ramadan? And how does your clothes style change during the month?

1. Shatha Hassoun spends the month in Beirut where she received her family, she wears a conservative traditional 'Abayya--long sleeve garb with conservative colors all over the Arab world.
2. Mai Hariri, she stays away from the beach, dresses modestly and does not do any concerts or parties. No 'Abaya for Mai who spend the month doing spiritual stuff and visiting with friends and family. 
3. Amani Sueysi ownes a local Tunisian conservative dress called Qaftthan, she does not ware often, but as always she stays modest. Amani used to sing in some private parties celebrating the month, but she is not doing that this year, so she is in Tunisia with her family. 
4. Ammar or Qamar, changed all her revealing outfits and she mostly wear jeans and T-shirts--her preferred style. Ammar has no projects in this month, but she is not opposed to singing in respectable Ramadan get together and functions. She does visit with a lot of friends and stays up at night chatting the night away.
5. Waad, goes home to the Saudi city of Riyadh and spend the month with her family. Waad does not do concerts or any art related media appearances--only talk show format with no singing. Waad wears the 'Abaya during the month--she is very proud of her ability to look natural.  

3 Minutes With Karim Saleh This Ramadan

Mr. Arab Idols Kareem Saleh is back this Ramadan with what seems very personal sound tracks of his supplications which he dedicated to his father's soul. Three supplication videos in under 4 minutes. He had a believer of me with his warm voice and heart-filled prayer.

I have also came to enjoy the nature scenes that tend to come with such prayer sound tracks. Kareem is the vocals behind this track and he has also composed the minimalist music we hear. I must say good job Kimo.

كريم صالح - ازاي انا


كريم صالح - ضعيف


كريم صالح - يارب

Richard El Haj Unleashes Magdy Sa'ad This Ramadan

Magdy Sa'ad is a guy who has never made the A list, but in the word of his fans, he is the top man in song style. Magdy has one of those convincing sorrow filled voices, just like Tamer Ashour. So his fans are naturally younger males who have nothing to gain or lost in this world.

This Ramadan was was unleashed with two track, Richard El Haj, the man behind the Pyramedia music label has been releasing many Ramadan related songs/hymns to celebrate the occasion. A prayer is what most need during those tough times--the heat and the political instability. 


Magdy Sa'ad - Baraket Ramadan / مجدي سعد - بركة رمضان


Magdy Sa'ad - ALLAH Wahed / مجدي سعد - الله واحد

WATCH: The Newest Arabic Ramadan Songs For This Year

Ramadan has inspired singers to sing for generations now. Some of those songs are classics, but most of them are throwaway songs that are self serving songs where the singer gets to advance his career. I have listened other new Ramadan songs, but they keep coming and I do not mind sharing on this blog.

Some of those songs are more religious than other ones, but they all want to celebrate the hold month in different ways. Take for example Karim Mohsen not a religious guy but he had a song with a good message...do not just be good in Ramadan...there are more months as you know.

Most of the songs below come form the country of Egypt, and come from stars with different fame and interests. enjoy this momnth

Karim Mohsen - 30 Youm / كريم محسن - 30 يوم


رمضان , ناصر المغني Ramadan ,Naser Almughanni


Ramadan Gana Nesma m4v YouTube


Amr Tantawy - Shahr Kareem / عمرو طنطاوي - شهر كريم

This Ramadan The World Loves Youssef Arafat

 Yousef Arafat, the nice guy who almost won Arab Idol title a year ago is making a run for his career with a song for Islam. A song that no two will disagree on...the song is about beauty of Islam. A great choice form this Jordanian super awesome dude.

While most would chose a song about romance to kick off their career in the post TV fame on Arab Idol, Yousef chose Ramadan to launch his career and he soinds very different than I remember it. I like this choice, I am sure the most conservative and lightest ones would cheer his choice. So Yousef is back to make this very hot Ramadan a bit more tolerable.

I like the behind the secnes footage of the young artist. I am sure it was a lot easier to make this song than other ones. Too many studios would welcome such a song, but romance gets no love as there are over saturation at the moment. He was Mr. nice guy and all the judges enjoyed having him part of the show. While Arafat got his name out there on Arab Idol, he now chooses to praise the religion that came to destroy all idols.

 Youssef Arafat Din elsalam mpg 4

البوم تامر على - ألاسلام الحقيقى Tamer Ali and The Real Islam Album

For a guy who spends a great deal of his time talking about love and romance, Tamer Ali is pretty out of his comfort zone with his Muslim themed album. He titled is the real Islam. Again Tamer is a dude who earns his money making music for romantic songs and music.

This Ramadan he is releasing a 6 track album all about the real Islam. While this is a great effort on his part, I think this is hardly an album. I like his take on the religions, it's personal. But I'm afraid the title is a little bit of a loaded term. It's a big deal to make music and call the collection, the real Islam. It might offend some people and it might not even resonate well with most people.

Having said that, I must say, I was never a big fan of Tamer's voice, but this album has me in his converts aisle. He shows real talent and a big heart as he approaches those songs. In the past Tamer has done covers of songs he composes the music for, but none of them has even registered with me. This time I feel the singer sounds very mature. Check out the samples below.

1-Yarab Matsbnesh
2- El'slam El7e'y
3- Ana Nadman
4- Alem Belly Feya
5- Ahdeny Ya Alah
6- Enta El Amal

سيمبلات البوم تامر علي - الاسلام الحقيقي 2012

Rahim, WAMA, Fouad, And ZeeZee Adel Songs Released For Ramadan 2012

Between TV dramas and songs made just for those shows, and the few singers who find spirituality through music in this holy month, I include few songs that were just released few hours ago in usher in the month of fasting. Needless to say these songs tend to come from Egypt as the Lebanese singes tend either don't care enough about Ramadan or to be non Muslims--which is cool too.

Ramadan is a huge deal in Egypt, so let's see how those songs celebrate the month...

While many of those songs are made for TV shows and have little to do with the actual month, ZeeZee Adel who is due for a comeback released a Ramadan worthy song, a prayer asking the Lord for things to world out for her in her life. Naturally speaking the video is loaded with nature and serious notes. This is ZeeZee's first song in about three years.

Mohammed Fouad comes back and recorded this song for what might be this Ramadan's  biggest sho with Ahmed Sakka.


ZeeZee Adel - Ya Rab



Mohamed Rahim - Walla W Lak Sho2a / محمد رحيم - والله ولك شوقة

اغنية واما - اعمل عبيط | Wama - E3ml 3abet


Mohamed Fouad Asbab Ktera (Intro) - محمد فؤاد اسباب كتيره

Mahmoud El Mohandes Rings In Ramadan 2012 محمود المهندس - رمضان بيخبط

Ramadan is the time we pray, eat, sleep, pray, read the holy book, and then over eat. But in between, there are those awesome Ramadan songs talking about food and daily rituals and dishes. I like such songs, they help create an atmosphere of excitement especially for the young ones.

Ramadan is a magical time, and it is the perfect season to make memories. So, get excited the first song to ring in the holy month is in and it's by young and good looking new comer Mahmoud El Mohandes who just released his song for us all.

I like it, Ramadan is knocking at our doors and bringing all the good stuff with it, says the song. I am nostalgic now because Mahmoud's song paints the perfect Ramadan picture, with everything including the dessert.

Mahmoud ElMohandes - Ramdan By5bt | محمود المهندس - رمضان بيخبط

Will One Direction Malik Zayn Be Fasting This Ramadan?

I was wondering being a Muslim, will the One Direction band member and super awesome dude Malik Zayn (Zayn Jaweed Malik) be observing the Muslim Month of Ramadan. I mean will be be fasting? If not because of his faith, it might be due to his respect to his heritage.

The net seems to be going crazy about his faith, some American loon have even accused him of "pimping Islam". I think people like that and others who do not thing he is a good Muslim miss the point.

He is a British Pakistani But, give me a break, here's what online commentarot had to say about Malik's being a lousy Muslim:

He is by name but he doesn't follow the guidelines of Islam. Islam prohibits smoking, drinking, dating and such and he has, unfortunately, strayed and gone and done those things. It's sad to see such a good person go off like that but it is what it is. May Allah guide him and show him the Light.

Zayn Malik is a Muslim British Pakistani and he is proud of his religion view. Malik once tweeted ""La ila ha ill allaho muhammed door rasoolalah" which means he believes in Allah and Muhammad.

In Ramadan of 2011, he was reported to have fasted. He has a good personality as a muslim. In the first day of Ramadhan he tweeted in his Twitter account "First day, who's fasting?". Those are evidances that Zayn Malik is Muslim, not that he has anything to proof to anyone. Religion should not be put on public display.

For skeptics of Malik's faith, here are few things to consider:

1. Malik Zayn is young, and full of life
2. He has an image to protect. His business image does not have to his personal life.
3. He is the son of a different culture, so his practice does not have to be a carbon cop of what some guy in Pakistan calls "proper Islam"
4. Some of his fans, don't care about his religion and in exchange he should not try to preach to them about his personal life and his faith.

Malik is not famous because of his religion, but because of his music and personality. So, I say keep on keeping on...and your religion is your business.

Zayn Malik with family in BRADFORD [ @zaynmalikarmy ]

Orphan Song By Maher Zain

Orphans are God's favorite little kids. Prophet Muhammad--himself an orphan asked us to be kind to them. There are too many rule in Islam about orphans and how one is not supposed to steal their money or try to mistreat them. Most Muslims get the message about how one needs to go the extra mile with people who missed a parent or two.

Maher Zain took notice and wrote a song just for them. The music video is about a little girl navigating her way through the big nothing. It's a touching blues song, Maher unleashes his vocals and emotions to make this song a lot better and lot more personal. A ship with no water around it cannot sail...Beyond the song Maher seems to make a difference as he supports a number of charities.

This is a clip you do not make to be famous, it's one you make to help get the message out and hope that people will dig in their pockets.

Maher Zain - So Soon | Official Music Video

While Israel Robs Jerusalem! Muslim Sing For It

Muslim Munshdeen, the singers who sing for religious purposes and without any sort of instrumental music have met once again on one gigantic music collaboration that reached back in time all the way to the days of the Ottoman empire.

Call it the operetta from the Turkish vantage point. To be clear Jerusalem is a big deal for Muslims, but Israels filling in for Jews are the only ones with a big gun to take control of the city, Christians are divided on their stand. Most Muslims are well versed on the history of their beloved city and if anything memory matters.

History changes once you are on top the next you are out the door. So for those who can hold their breath the longest might get to see something different. As for now, enjoy this song that impressed me with its production and the many talents who have loaned their vocals to see it a reality. The vocalists come from all over the Arab World who are celebrities in their circles.
أوبريت القدس تجمعنا | نخبة من منشدي الوطن العربي

Maher Zain And Band In Malaysia Concert

Make no mistakes, this is a business. But some businesses are better than others. Maher Zain, his band and his lable are in the business of making you smile by giving you uplifting music that speaks to your soul. In return, they ask you to follow them spread the word and buy merchandise and tickets. Why Not? You already do it for other artists who do not offer you Islamic songs

So to power up his concerts in Malaysia, the Muslim super star, R&B and rock music dude Maher Zain is taking his band for the ride. They have booked one gigantic stadium in a city with millions of affluent and lovable Muslims.  Even the video has Canon brand flaunted. However, Maher seems to be excited for his concert so he gathered his band and give you a little taste of what you will see the night of his concert. Just like other pop stars he is promising surprises.

Maher is no longer a local singer, he is a true global star with brand recognition that defies borders and tend to bring people together to enjoy a musical experience.

Maher Zain - KL Merdeka Stadium Concert 2012 | Promo

The Only Sabah Fakhri, The Legend From Syria

Sabah Fakhri's music is where you separate the boys from the men and girls from the women. That means you are not born liking the kind of music he sings, you acquire the taste for it. This heavy eastern melodies that blends the best of Spain, Damascus and Iraq music. His kind of music that older people have the taste for. He is for sure the radio voice.

Syrian legend Sabah Fakhri is an icon of heavy tarab music where you sit in one place for hours just listening, and taking in all those lyrics he spits out. The son of Aleppo who has enjoyed 50 years of fame and popularity. Simply put, there are no other singers who can match his vocal strength and the level of harmony of music.

You listen to Sabah if you want authentic unadulterated Arabic music. He has toured the world and the world has loved him back. He has been credited for singing the longest concert ever on the record. Sabah did something no other Arab star has done--he kept away from Cairo. His fame is all based on his work from Home. One of his earliest performances was in 1948 at the Presidential Palace in Damascus. Think about the fat lady at the opera....he is our fat lady and then some.

Sabah has been given every award on the books, his music often credits God, Wine, and other supernatural acts. He does not talk to the press, nor does he try to promote himself, his work is his best agent.  He sings for beauty as he seems to be on quest. Enjoy the best songs of his as suggest by one YouTube user.

أجمل ما غنى الفنان صباح فخري

Raef Transforms Pop Hits Into Islamic Lyrics

Something strange has to happen when a Muslim singer makes it big. It happened to Sami Yusuf, Maher Zain, and now I am seeing it with Raef. Once they start a strong base, they have to flaunt a ring. It seems that many Muslims get on their case to see if the singers are doing this for the babes or for the right reasons.

Sami Yusuf in 2005 I think had to take a picture on the album of his and show his ring. Maher Zain wrote songs for his wife. And now Raef, the American bred singer of cool covers is showing his ring in his latest music video. This means he is not a big name.

I did see Raef perform two years ago in George Washington University for a function for the Muslim Student Association. He was good and his sense of humor was impressive. Raef's latest cover is "I'm Yours" By Jason Mraz. Making a music song out of a popular hit is not easy because one sets the bars too high. Luckily Raed was able to do a fine job. I adore his modern take on faith inspired music.

Raef had a sweet voice and the way he flows is worthy of an A list pop star. Raef does something many Muslim singers have not tried to do before....taking hip songs and customizing them for Muslims. This is a man and his guitar sort of entertainment.  

Raef - [Rabbee] I'm Yours (Jason Mraz Cover)

Awakening Records - Faith Inspired Music Plus Money

A London based music label manged to do what many have tried to do before, make profit form faith inspired music. This has been done in the west for years, but not any in the Muslim world have manged to do it in more than one local market. Every Muslim country has stores that sell Muslim music, Anasheed and spiritually uplifting music. YouTube was a huge help as one song can be viewed millions of times form all over the world and at the same time.

In London Awakening Record took local artists who can sing in English, but do not have to, and build a brand around them. They even had those artists do local song sin local languages---Arabic, Hindi, Turkish seems to be the songs of choice.  And that worked well. Their first success story was with Sami Yusuf....but then the business has gotten bigger with Maher Zain and company who have manged to become global stars only singing stuff they feel true. Hamza Namira has joined the label and he has not sang in English, he made powerful album from Egypt with world class production. Then Turkish Mesut Kurtis and Raef from America joined the line.

Awaekning Record kept singing new news and business is beautiful. It turn out that one can make Muslim Rock Stars without having to give up on values or teaching of Islam. Sure, some might not approve of star making as they might cal it Idol making....but these guys always credit God and the teaching of Islam for their success so there you have it.

Awakening Records - Faith Inspired Music