9 Key insights from the Awakening Talent Record Contest

Don't Forget To Vote, there are 32 talents who await your support. They hope to be on the third phase, the more you watch, the more you learn. If you did not qualify, keep going, it might be a good thing to be redirected some place else. As for the viewers, there are some videos one has to watch, make sure the ones whom he approve of get your vote. 

Fact #1: YouTube Views:

More than 1,500,000 views to submitted videos/playlists.

By end of contest @ July, we expect reaching more than 3 Million views since the newly uploaded top 32 videos are about to receive total 250,000 views this week:

Link 

Fact #2: Gender:

We received 120 videos for female applicants (15.9%)

We received 635 videos for male applicants (84.1%)

Fact #3: Countries:

We received videos from 66 countries (from all the continents) including South Korea, Singapore, Bolivia, Austria, Netherlands, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Oman, Mauritius, Turkmenistan and Australia:

Afghanistan

Algeria

Arakan

Australia

Austria

Bahrain

Bangladesh

Belgium

Bolivia

Bosnia and Herzegovnia

Brunei

Burma

Canada

Denmark

Egypt

Eritrea

Ethiopia

France

Germany

Ghana

India

Indonesia

Iraq

Italy

Ivory Coast

Jordan

Kenya

Kosovo

KSA

Kuwait

Kyrgyzstan

Lebanon

Libya

Malaysia

Mauritius

Mecedonia

Morocco

Netherlands

New Zealand

Nigeria

Oman

Pakistan

Palestine

Philippines

Qatar

Romania

Russia

Singapore

Somalia

South Africa

South Korea

Spain

Sri Lanka

Sudan

Sweden

Syria

Tajikistan

Trinidad and Tobago

Tunisia

Turkey

Turkmenistan

UAE

UK

USA

Uzbekestan

Yemen

Percentage and Video Count

1. UK 45 videos (5.9%)
2. USA 52 videos (6.9%)
3. Canada 25 videos (3.4%)
4. Other EU 44 videos (5.8%) including NZ & AU
5. Turkey 14 videos (1.9%)
6. Egypt 166 videos (21.9%) Go Egypt
7. Morocco 85 videos (11.3%)
8. Algeria 17 videos (2.3%)
9. Gulf 29 videos (3.8%) excluding Yemen & Iraq
10. Other Arabs 85 videos (11.3%)
11. Malaysia 39 videos (5.2%)
12. Indonesia 68 videos (9%)

Fact #4: Jobs:

We received videos from people working for 102 different jobs including truck driver, air traffic controller, Ph.D student, lecturer, Master student, civil engineer, banker, barber, university student, housekeeper, dentist, vocalist, draftsman, painter, photographer, business owner, economist, etc.

Accountant

Administrator

Aeronautics specialist

Agricultural Engineer

Air Traffic Controller

Airplances Technician

Architect

Assistant Engineer

Banker

Barber

Biologist

Biomedical Engineer

Business Director

Businessman

Civil Engineer

Composer

Computer Engineer

Truck Driver

Contractor

Copywriter

Creative Director

Data processing specialist

Decor artist

Dentist

Doctor

Draftsman

Economist

Electrical Engineer

Electrician

Electronics & Communications Engineer

employee

Entrepreneur

Event Manager

Financial Clerk

Financial Service Consultant

Football player

Foreign Service Officer

Geograpghics Technician

Graphic Designer

Guitar player

Health specialist

Housekeeper

HR specialist

Industrial Engineer

Inspector

Interior designer

IT Analyst

IT Consultant

IT engineer

IT Manager

IT specialist

Lawyer

Lecturer

Marketing Manager

Master student

Mechanical Engineer

Media specialist

Merchant

Mother

Music teacher

Musician

Network specialist

NGO employee

NGO voulanteer

Nurse

Optics specialist

Painter

Ph.D Student

Pharmacist

Photographer

Power station operator

Psychologist

Purchasing Manager

Quran Recitor

Research assistant

Researcher

Sales Manager

Sales rep

School student

Secretary

Security Guard

Self employed

Singer

Software developer

Software engineer

Songwriter

Stylist

System Engineer

Teacher

Technical support specialist

Technician

Traffic Engineer

Trainer

TV Director

Unemployed

University Student

Video producer

Vocalist

Web developer

Worker

Writer

Fact #5: Applicants were singing for:

Awakening Records' Artists = 348 videos (46.1%)

Applicants with self-composed/written songs: 63 videos (8.3%)

Remaining contestants were singing for other artists

Fact #6: Applicants that their YouTube channels have only their submitted video (New YouTube Users):

424 videos (56.2%)

Fact # 7: Singing Languages:

English: 339 videos (44.9%).

Arabic: 397 videos (52.6%)

Fact # 8: Age groups

Average age of the 755 applicants: 21.4 years

Youngest contestant: 7 years from UK:

Eldest contestant: 53 (Removed his video now)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6C2VFij4Zjk&list=PLoagsPg26SY61oEdt9FleW_AQRt-Fvjzn

Next eldest one: 50 years from USA:

Fact # 9: Website Visitors AwakeningStar.com till 13th of May:

Egypt 18.5%, Morocco 8.6%, USA 7.5%, KSA 7.3%, UK 6.2%, Malaysia 4.6%, Turkey 4.2%, Indonesia 3.8%, Jordan 5.6%, Canada 3.3%

Don't Forget To Vote, there are 32 talents who await your support. They hope to be on the third phase, the more you watch, the more you learn.

O Mohammad Operetta أوبريت هذا محمد

Light operas are meant to be huge, they are often used in Arabic to describe a song where at least three vocalists sing together. There are many of them and artists usually donate their fees to make such a huge productions possible. Arab entertainers record them, when there is something going wrong, war on Iraq/Palestine/Lebanon/Syria or somewhere else they care about.

They have also made them for religious reasons, like the one you will see below, a song in defense of prophet Muhammad. Those are the voices of some big names in the Gulf area, like Mohammad Abdu, Hussien Al Jassimi, Fayez Al Said as well as others. A large number of Munshdeen Capella singers who sing religious songs have helped with the project. The music belongs to Fayez Al Said.  

The music is kept to minimal, in order to draw in the more orthodox Muslims. It's a poem that sing praises to the Prophet peace be upon him. It reads like a poem. This is not a new song, it was recorded on February of 2012. The production is for the UAE and Saudi Arabia.

I think the song wanted to be made quickly, so no other Arab singers were invited to record along side the Khaliji artists. It tells some of the highlights in the prophet's life, his struggle and his message.

أوبريت هذا محمد أداء أسامه الصافي - حسين الجسمي وآخرون
  

The Heart Warming Eulogy Songs By Shi'ite Muslims The art form is known as "العزاء" أو "الشيلات" أو "اللطميات"

There's a little known art common in places like Iraq, Iran and wherever Shi'ite Muslims live. This art form is a way to retell a story of the murders of many members of the house of the prophet on the hands of a group of delusional Muslims.

The art form is known as "العزاء" أو "الشيلات" أو "اللطميات" Latmyyat or Shilat. And they have no standard language. They tell the story of the final hours and the heroic stand those men and women made during a battle they did not chose. I found out about this art form because it seems that many A list Iraqi singers have been ripping music from those songs and making that music into pop songs.

The believers gather on certain dates and celebrate together as they mourn the death of those men and women. They sing their stories and plea on them for help. Those are heart breaking stories of the story of Hassan Hussein and their father Ali and their grandfather prophet Mohammad. People slap themselves as they hear those stories others cut themselves as they try to connect with the stories.

Those are often poems performed by a person with good voice and then a group backs him up vocally. They sound like well-written eulogies for great men and women.

 لطميات 2013 خادم اهل البيت وليد العبودي


علي الفاطمي _ عباس البطل 2012

Boko Haram Shoots CAN Leader In Borno!

Boko Haram Ignores State Of Emergency, Shoots CAN Leader In Borno!

The Boko Haram sect on Tuesday evening gave indications that it was prepared for whatever comes with the declaration of a state of emergency in three states. Minutes after the declaration by the President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan, suspected members of the sect shot and killed a leader of the Borno State arm of the Christian Association of Nigeria in Borno State. The Secretary of the association, Faye Pama Musa was killed by gunmen who trailed him to his Maiduguri residence. In a brief statement which confirmed the incident, Kenny Asaka, spokesman to Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, the CAN President described the incident as a “sad” one.
The leader of the sect had appeared in a video earlier in the week to claim responsibility for attacks that occured in Baga and Bama in Borno State.

Source: thestreetjournal.org

JONATHAN DECLARES STATE OF EMERGENCY IN YOBE, ADAMAWA & BORNO STATE

Boko Haram on fire as President Goodluck Jonathan Declares state of emergency for three Northern State in Nigeria. These states are said to have been the major worries of FG as too many deaths toll around the region. The question is will this stop the Boko Haram Group from operating? As many previous and present leaders are suspected to be the major sponsors of the group which names are not unveil.

Some of the reasons are said to spoil the the leadership of President Jonathan. If this continues how will 2015 election be? So we here at Aftereffet Blog, we are pleading those sponsors to seize fire so one can live peacefully.

The Muslim Entertainer Mohamed Abbas Is Egypt's New Face Of Indie Music فك الكلابش - محمد عباس

A name one needs to know is the indie artist from Egypt Mohmed Abbas, he is indie because he is that young voice who speaks about social injustice without being angry, jaded or political. And if this is not a delight, he has great music and a very intimate style that we have not heard in Egypt in a really long time. This is a breath of fresh air because Abbas is a popular Muslims Munshid that means he does hymns like songs with religious tone. Those have been popular as more and more networks are dedicated to such material. I welcome him to the ring.

His style is similar to that of Sheikh Imam and Sayed Darwish, while he is brand new, his fans are there each time he performs--he has an upcoming concert in a mall. I am a fan of his voice expresses a great deal of sadness underneath his lines--it's like a not very angry volcano.

The sitting of his music video is the well known Egyptian cafes where people go to tell stories and relax. A charming music video for a wonderful song that needed to be sang. Mohamed is a cool dude in my book. He tells the stories of the people who work hard to get by, there are far too many beautiful tales that needed to be told.

Release me from you handcuff, aka unshackle me is the title of this song from the new comer Abbas. I like the feel good the song brings, it talks about many topics in a poetic style.

Fok El Kalabsh - Mohmed Abbas فك الكلابش - محمد عباس

Listen: #Egypt Exclusive: Bahaa' Sultan " Deny we Denak " / " حــــصــريا : بهاء سلطان " دينى ودينك

Bahaa Sultan is a Muslim, he producer and mentor is Christian and they are the best friends in the world. When this team saw the massacre in Egypt and the attacks on one Christina Church, they worked around the clock for a song. They were moved and their song came through to move you.

 His song is about bringing worshipers closer, it's about reconciliation and peace. Trying to bring people together, we are always friends and same kind--let's not be victims for other people. Bahaa does not do the knee jerk songs, he is the apolitical figure, but this time is seems very personal to him. Ramy Gamal wrote the music. Moammad Atif wrote the lyrics.

Starting the song with an interview of an eye witness who saw the incidents and then Bahaa picks it up. This is less of a song and more of prayer to appeal for common sense and reminding people of what brings them together. The footage that accompanies the song help create the mood for this toxic topic, one people, religion should not be a wedge issue.

Bahaa' Sultan " Deny we Denak " / " حــــصــريا : بهاء سلطان " دينى ودينك

Listen: Fadel Shaker New Song أنشودة نوري اكتمل - المنشد فضل شاكر

Did God find Fadel Shaker or did later found him? Either way, the now retried pop and romance hit-maker is back with a new spiritual song or a hymn that he just released. I got to say, it's not half as bad. I may not see eye to eye with the singer, but he still has what God has granted him--his voice.

And if doing spiritual songs would keep him rocking, be my guest. This is would be a pop song had it talked about love and not God. But this is a smooth song about vice and virtue. I like it and happy to see the artist doing something that fill him with joy. His political opinions aside, I won't pile on Fadel Shaker.

 أنشودة نوري اكتمل - المنشد فضل شاكر

WATCH: The Hairy Esaf Sings For Mothers

B list pop star Esaf has not released anything new in more than two years, and when he returned to the music business, he comeback with a song for the mothers.

Esaf has made films too, so he is no stranger to the show biz, this song has made some buzz for the young artist. I like the new hair, and how the song is very focused on it lyrics. There are a religious undertone in the song, Moses, Jesus and the Virgin Mary are.

The music is pretty basic, nothing too impressive and so is the music video. I do not see this as a classic, if you do not sing along, chances are, the song will not outlive its artist.

Esaf Gabal Faker

Vote For This! Awakening Talent Contest - Mc Dahab - Egypt

Awakening Talent Contest is heating up as submissions from around the globe are pouring in. They are searching for talents they can sign up and work with on a contract. Naturally  they want someone who promotes good citizenship and the teachings of Islam.

There are many talented people out there from the greater Muslim community who embody those principles  they just need to have something that can be cold. I watched many of the submissions, and I find myself partial to a young Egyptian lyricists and a raper who in very quiet ways has been rocking the boat. Not only are his words fascinating  but also attends one of the most highly regarded Muslim University -he is a student at Al Azhar in Cairo.

He has chose  a song about the virtues of the Hijab. He has a lot more songs about life, standing up and being grateful to those who help us. I wish the video quality was a little bit better, but one works with what he has.


Awakening Talent Contest - Mc Dahab - Egypt

WATCH: Awakening Talent Contest Wants You!

If you think you are a good moral person, and someone who likes to listen to music promoting spirituality an positive outlook, maybe you have another talent that can offer something fresh. I come to admire the work they do, the level of professional and tech savvy the company has and most of all their lineup of sensational voices and rock stars.

This is way the London based music label Awakening has launched launched Awakening Talent Contest where grand prize is signing contract with Awakening. Find the Press release here

Launch video is here by the Judging Committee members (including Hamza Namira & Maher Zain):
This is a high quality production company that makes money but also promotes positive message. Who knows, where your talent and skill will take you?

While the Awakening Records label makes music geared toward Muslims, their contest is open to anyone who has talent, regardless of faith, gender, age or race. I know there are so many talented buried out there, it's time to give them a hand and if they are good, I am certain they will get a call. There are so many Islamic stories, and teachings that need to be told and music is the right universal tool to communicate what Muslims hold as valuable with the masses. 

Give it a try and share your talent, maybe this contest will unlock your potential and unleash your creative juices. Keep on mind, this is not always about being cool, but rather about doing well by being good.  

Awakening Talent Contest - Launch Video by the Judging Committee | #Awakening

Terry G, Samklef, SlizzyE turn ‘Cele Pastors’

Terry G shot the video for his latest single 'Jump am pass'a few weeks back. The video which has a religious theme will feature cameos from another popular singer-producer Samklef and long time Edo rapper Slizzy E.
Dressed in Pastoral form the video coming soon. See Photos below:

 

New Pope Emerges (Jorge Mario Bergoglio)

Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina was elected in a surprise choice to be the new leader of the troubled Roman Catholic Church on Wednesday, taking the name Francis I and becoming the first non-European pontiff in nearly 1,300 years.
Pope Francis, 76, appeared on the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica just over an hour after white smoke poured from a chimney on the roof of the Sistine Chapel to signal 115 cardinal electors had chosen him to lead the world's 1.2 billion Roman Catholics.
"Pray for me," the new pontiff, dressed in the white robes of a pope for the first time, urged a crowd of tens of thousands of people waiting in the square below.
The choice of Bergoglio, who is the first Latin American and first Jesuit pope, was announced by French cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran with the Latin words "Habemus Papam" ("We have a pope.")
Francis has became the 266th pontiff in the Church's 2,000-year history at a time of great crisis, with the church under fire over a child sex abuse scandal and torn by infighting in the Vatican bureaucracy.
Although a conservative theologically, Francis is known for his concern for the poor and is expected to bring a radical change of style to the Church leadership, indicated by his choice for the first time of the name of St Francis of Assisi, who died in 1226 after living a life of poverty and simplicity.
He immediately showed the difference from his predecessor Benedict, an aloof theologian, with a gesture of humility, asking the waiting crowd to bless him before he blessed them.
Bergoglio shunned the papal limousine after his appearance on the balcony and chose to take a shuttle bus with other cardinals back to the Vatican residence where they are staying, for an evening meal.
Bergoglio is known as a humble man who leads an austere and sober life without ostentation, travelling by public transport and living in a small apartment outside Buenos Aires.
He is willing to challenge powerful interests and is deeply concerned about the social inequalities in Argentina and elsewhere in Latin America. He has had a sometimes difficult relationship with President Cristina Fernandez and her late husband and predecessor Nestor Kirchner.
Francis has spoken out strongly against gay marriage, denouncing it in 2010 as "an attempt to destroy God's plan".
ARGENTINES JUBILANT
Jubilant Argentines poured into churches, some crying and praying, after the announcement at the Vatican. "This is a blessing for Argentina," one woman shouted on a Buenos Aires street.
"I hope he changes all the luxury that exists in the Vatican, that he steers the church in a more humble direction, something closer to the gospel," said Jorge Andres Lobato, a 73-year-old retired state prosecutor.
The election was enthusiastically welcomed elsewhere in Latin America too.
"We're happy because we have a new pope and because the choice of a Latin American shows that the Church is opening, is now focused on the entire Church. It's not just a church only focused on Europe," said Leonardo Steiner, general secretary of the national conference of Brazilian bishops.
Francis was not among the small group of front runners identified before the election. The Jesuit order to which he belongs was founded in the 16th century to serve the pope. It is best known for its work in education and the intellectual prowess of its members.
The monks at the convent of St. Francis in Assisi were overjoyed at the election of Bergoglio and his decision to take the name Francis for a pontiff for the first time.
"St. Francis still points to the path of humility and evangelical simplicity," said the abbot, Father Mauro Gambetti.
Italian theologian Massimo Faggioli told Reuters: "I don't expect him to change on doctrine, but he is a more pastoral person. It seems that this pope will be more aware of what life is all about."
Faggioli, a professor at the University of St. Thomas in Minneapolis, added: "He will have more room to make his message heard than Benedict did. The papacy needs to have an audience more open to listen to what the pope says. He is not an outsider. He didn't present himself as a reformer with hatchet in hand."
Bergoglio was born into a middle-class family of seven, his father an Italian immigrant railway worker and his mother a housewife.
Replacing Pope Benedict, who resigned last month, he overturned one of the main assumptions before the election, that the new pope would be relatively young.
Bergoglio is the oldest of most of the possible candidates and was barely mentioned in feverish speculation about the top contenders before the conclave.
He is the first non-European pope since Syrian-born Gregory III in the eighth century, and the third successive non-Italian pontiff.
The Vatican said his inaugural mass would be on March 19.
U.S. President Barack Obama said the election of Francis "speaks to the strength and vitality of a region that is increasingly shaping our world."
"PRAY FOR BENEDICT"
In brief remarks from the balcony of St. Peter's, Francis called on the faithful to pray for Benedict and said the Church was setting off on a "journey of fraternity, of love, of trust".
It seemed the cardinal electors "went to the end of the world" to find him, he said.
The Vatican said Francis would visit Benedict soon at his temporary home in the summer papal residence outside Rome.
Thousands of people sheltering from heavy rain under a sea of umbrellas had occupied the square all day to await the decision and the crowd swelled as soon as the white smoke emerged.
They cheered wildly and raced towards the basilica as the smoke billowed from a narrow makeshift chimney and St Peter's bells rang.
The tens of thousands in the square cheered even more loudly when Francis appeared, the first pontiff to take that name. "Viva il Papa (pope)," they chanted.
Front runners at the conclave had included Brazilian Odilo Scherer, and Italy's Angelo Scola, who would have returned the papacy to traditional Italian hands after 35 years of the German Benedict XVI and Polish John Paul II.
The decision by cardinal electors sequestered in a secret conclave in the Sistine Chapel came sooner than many experts expected because there were several front runners before the vote to replace Pope Benedict.
The cardinals faced a thorny task in finding a leader capable of overcoming crises caused by priestly child abuse and a leak of secret papal documents that uncovered corruption and rivalry inside the Church government or Curia.
Francis will head a Church also shaken by rivalry from other churches, the advance of secularism, especially in its European heartland, and allegations of scandal at the Vatican bank.
The series of crises is thought to have contributed to Benedict's decision to become the first pontiff in 600 years to abdicate.
RIVAL TO RATZINGER IN 2005
Bergoglio was a moderate rival candidate at the 2005 conclave to the conservative Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, who went on to become Benedict.
Italian media say he impressed cardinals in pre-conclave meetings where they discussed the Church's problems.
Reserved and humble, Francis does not fit the profile of an active preacher that many cardinals had previously said they were seeking. He studied chemistry before joining the priesthood nearly a decade after losing a lung to respiratory illness.
The secret conclave began on Tuesday night with a first ballot and four ballots were held on Wednesday. Francis obtained the required two thirds majority in the fifth ballot.
The previous four popes were all elected within two or three days.
In preparatory meetings before the conclave, the cardinals seemed divided between those who believe the new pontiff must be a strong manager to get the dysfunctional bureaucracy under control and others who are looking more for a proven pastoral figure to revitalize their faith across the globe.
Apart from Brazil's Scherer and Italy's Scola, a host of other candidates from numerous nations had also been mentioned as potential popes - including U.S. cardinals Timothy Dolan and Sean O'Malley, Canada's Marc Ouellet and Argentina's Leonardo Sandri.
But the front runners' list never mentioned Bergoglio.
(Additional reporting by Naomi O'Leary, Catherine Hornby, Crispian Balmer and Tom Heneghan in Rome, Dave Graham in Mexico City, Ana Flor in Brasilia, Nicolas Misculin and Juliana Castilla in Buenos Aires; Writing by Barry Moody; Editing by Keith Weir, Alastair Macdonald and Giles Elgood)
Source: www.reuters.com

See Shams Open Fire On Retried Fadel Shaker

She was a fan, she thinks he is a gifted musicians  Then she says once this sense is gone, the man is gone. She takes issue with his beard, and his lessons he has preaching in public. She thinks artists are meant ot unite people and not promote a certain ideology.

She is a Muslim just like he is, her trouble with him is his public feud on all other singers, he was not gone away quietly. I like Shams, and she has never shied away from controversy herself. She is no fan of the retired Lebanese singer Fadel Shaker who has been busy promoting the Salafi way. According to Fadel Shaker, he wants his fans to grow beards like he did.

I think Shams has some good points, but she should be careful not to mix the personal with the business. The Kuwaiti songstress seems really disgusted with Fadel and his choices. I think Shams really hates those religious conservatives who often attack her and her choices, so for her Fadel is their loudmouth spokesperson   

شمس تهاجم فضل شاكر لانة اعتزال الفن وصار متدين وملتزم


شمس - تهاجم و تنتقد و تشرشح فضل شاكر.

Not A Sausage Fest--The First Ever Saudi Art Festival

Citizens of the world do not equate Saudi Arabia for being the patron of art, to the contrary, they have a reputation for limiting freedom of expression in that land. But know this, the biggest Arabic music producer, promoter and marketer is Saudi Rotana. the biggest Arab TV networks are based in Saudi Arabia or funded by the Saudis.

In fairness, Saudis do these things away form home, in an effort not to offend the most religious and conservative elements in that country.--Lebanon and Egypt is where most of their work ends up being filmed and recorded.

for for the first time in their recent history, Saudi Arabia had an event where they have honored a dozen of Arab entertainers from TV and from the music scene. The organizers  said in their remarks  "We have a routine in Saudi Arabia, and we want to overcome that". The organizers boasted about producing 18 dramas last year. The city of Jaddah was the home of this event--at some hotel. Natacha the young and bubbly pop singer was the face of the festival.

I first thought the people would be in attendance are just men. But then pictures do not lie, see for yourself, the new Saudi Arabia? The event was organized under the foresight of prince Mohamed Bin Naser Al Sud, and the panel of judges was all Saudis.

مهرجان الإعلام العربي بجدة يكرم الفنانيين

Arabic Christmas Albums Are Coming From Lebanon This Year

Few months ago, Christmas season all over the world, and as everyone knows, it's not full blown Christmas until you start hearing that music. Lebanon is helping Arabs celebrate this lovely over commercialized holiday with music. In the past they had to listen to American songs, last year, they have received new albums with Arabic songs to help ring in the season

1. Yara is finishing her All Christmas album, with six tracks and a feature song by Lara Escander. This is Yara's first album in more than three years. The songs are composed by Nizar Francis and music is the work of Jan Mari chi. We wait for this album to see if the music will make you want to shot yourself or not. The cover album will feature a Christmas tree and chocolate to celebrate this very happy occasion where happy memories for the little ones are shaped. 
2. Julia Boutrus is also doing an album of 10 tracks, she recorded it life with the orchestra in Prague. Some of the songs will be celebrating the Virgin Mary. Lebanese composer Michael Fadel is involved with the music and he has shared a photo of his work trip with Julia who has confirmed the news. There will be hymns and festive songs. This album seems like a great production. anything with live music takes itself seriously. 

An Arabic Christmas Carol (Byzantine Hymn of the Nativity)



 

Download: Mostafa Amar Finds God البوم مصطفى قمر - مولاى سبحانك

Egyptian King of pop Mostafa Amar has found good in his most recent album. The guy who usually sings dance and romance songs--he also acts went on a quest to find God in all things, so he came back with a nine track album which was released today.

While Amar has done religious songs in the past--timed for Ramadan, this one comes at a slow season where we are not even close to Ramadan. But all times are good times to release such work. He may have been inspired to release it for his kids as he is a family guy. Often times religious albums help preserve an artist legacy.

The thinking comes, if the artist has passed away, such songs will stick around long after he has gone and those are good deeds. I like that line of thinking. I am looking at the titles and those are are straightforward songs, some fresh titles. Some new songs and others are covers. Mazzika , the label which produces Amar's albums has put together this album as well. At those dark times in Egypt, it's so easy to find faith or lose it.

Those do not have to be long songs, I like what I have heard in the promo, Amar delivers some of his finest performances in really long time.


01 - Amien
02 - Alb El Rasoul
03 - Mawlaya Sobhanak
04 - Sobhan Allah
05 - El Basmala
06 - Saly We Erfaa Edeek
07 - Wallah Zaman Ya Ramadan
08 - Ghairak Maleesh
09 - Salla Allah Ala Mohamed

برومو ألبوم مصطفي قمر _ مولاي سبحانك

Pope Benedict XVI's Final Speech

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Benedict XVI promised his "unconditional reverence and obedience" to his successor in his final words to cardinals Thursday, a poignant and powerful farewell delivered hours before he becomes the first pope in 600 years to resign. In an unexpected speech inside the Vatican's frescoed Clementine Hall, the pontiff appeared to be trying to defuse concerns about possible conflicts arising from the peculiar situation of having both a reigning pope and a retired one. He also gave a final set of instructions to the "princes" of the church who will elect his successor, urging them to be united as they huddle to choose the 266th leader of the world's 1.2 billion Catholics. "May the College of Cardinals work like an orchestra, where diversity — an expression of the universal church — always works toward a higher and harmonious agreement," he said. It was seen as a clear reference to the deep internal divisions that have come to the fore in recent months following the leaks of sensitive Vatican documents that exposed power struggles and allegations of corruption inside the Vatican. The moment was as unique as Benedict's decision to quit, with the 85-year-old pope, wearing his crimson velvet cape and using a cane, bidding farewell to his closest advisers and the cardinals themselves bowing to kiss his fisherman's ring for the last time. Some seemed to choke up at that moment, but the scene seemed otherwise almost normal, with cardinals chatting on the sidelines waiting their turn to say goodbye. Benedict said he would pray for the cardinals in coming days as they discuss the issues facing the church, the qualities needed in a new pope and prepare to enter into the secret conclave to elect him. "Among you is also the future pope, whom I today promise my unconditional reverence and obedience," Benedict said in his final audience. Benedict's decision to live at the Vatican in retirement, be called "emeritus pope" and "Your Holiness" and to wear the white cassock associated with the papacy has deepened concerns about the shadow he might cast over the next papacy. But Benedict has tried to address those worries over the past two weeks, saying that once retired he would be "hidden from the world" and living a life of prayer. In his final speech in St. Peter's Square on Wednesday, he said he wasn't returning to private life exactly, but rather to a new form of service to the church through prayer. Shortly before 5 p.m. Thursday, Benedict will leave the palace for the last time as pontiff, head to the helipad at the top of the hill in the Vatican gardens and fly to the papal retreat at Castel Gandolfo south of Rome. There, at 8 p.m. sharp, Benedict will become the first pontiff in 600 years to resign. The doors of the palazzo will shut and the Swiss Guards will go off duty, their service protecting the head of the Catholic Church over — for now. And on Monday, the cardinals are expected to begin meeting to set the date for the conclave. Benedict's decision has been met for the most part with praise and understanding. Cardinals, Vatican officials and ordinary Catholics have rallied around him in acknowledgment of his frail state and the church's need for a strong leader. But Sydney Cardinal George Pell has caused a stir by openly saying the resignation has been "slightly destabilizing" for the church. In an interview with Australia's ABC radio, Pell noted that Benedict himself had acknowledged the shift in tradition; Benedict said Wednesday that he appreciated his decision was not only serious but "a novelty" for the church.

14 Years Later, Mona Abdel Ghany Returns

In my book and form generation, she was the first pop star we have come to known, her light dances and high sense of fashion at the time, told us it's fun to be a grownup. We likes her song, her personality and her music. Mona Abdel Ghani, was not something you would miss if you had a TV set. She has a lot of good songs, and her cassettes were top sellers.

Yet 14 years ago, she quit the music industry. But she returns this time for a good virtue album about family, friendship and all the public announcements one can make. But the music and the lyrics are not left to new comers. Mona is collaboration with the likes of Bahaa Aldeen (Lyrics) Mohamed and Waleed Saad for the music.

The album will also have national songs for Egypt. There will be 10 tracks and no release date so far. Mona became a pop star in the 80s by joining a band that has been known as Al Asdeqaa "The Friends , music by Ammar El Sariey. They released two band albums before going solo. I know I am curious to hear this album.

Mona abdel-ghani _ yalla ya as7ab منى عبدالغني - يلا يا أصحاب

WATCH: Marwan Khoury Performs A Christmas Hymn مروان خوري - يا إلهي

Marwan Khoury is a singer, composer, poet and a musician. But what I think he is might not be too far from the truth. He is an intellectual who is always in quest to know something new and to do something he has never done before. He has made a very religious song in a way that even those who do not believe in anything can appreciate.

To show that, watch his new performance accompanied by a piano and doing a Christ man hymn made for all souls. A song that makes you want to worship. My understanding, he wrote the lyrics of the hymn where he gives thanks for all the good and simple things God has endowed us with.

This is a beautiful song that comes in the right time with a guy whose romantic songs have traveled the world. This song he has just performed live on TV is wonderful, it moves the listener with God's grace and it moves beyond religions and cultures. Bless Marwan's heart and may he have more because more for this guy does not go to waste.

This must be the year when Arabic Christians had the most songs--at least three Christmas albums out--two very religious ones. And now the Marwan Khour dazzling performance went viral. Is the Arab Spring affect? Or the affect of a slower music market?
 Marwan Khoury | مروان خوري - يا إلهي