We are now in Facebook (FB) courtesy of nasheed artiste Cheb Ali who started the FB Group International Islamic Fair 4 Ummah as a means to reach out to even more people throughout the cyberworld. This is an Open Group and anyone can join and you are encouraged to invite others to join so you can keep in touch with what’s happening in the IIF. After two successful runs in Kuala Lumpur in 2006 and 2007, the IIF is making it’s way to Dubai, United Arab Emirates from 23 to 25 December 2008. Now you can stay tuned for updates on the IIF in this blog and on FB as well as the official website www.iif4ummah.com/2008.
Cheb Ali – the now Malaysian based Egyptian Rai Nasheed artist – has been in the Egyptian, Malaysian and international music industry since 1994.In addition to recording and live performing, this multitalented artiste has also written songs and lyrics for Egyptian, Lebanese, Saudi, Australian, South African and Malaysian artists. He is known in the Egyptian and International scene as: the “Voice of the Desert”, and his music, the “Rhythm of the Nile” and released his nasheed album “Ana Muslim” in 2007 as a unique collection of modern English and Arabic Nasheeds with inspiring Islamic messages, especially for youth. The album is produced by Saba Islamic Media and is available online here and checkout his FB profile here. Learn more about what inspires Cheb Ali in this excerpt from his website www.chebali.com :
Q: When did you start your Nasheed career?
A: I have been generally involved in the music industry since 1994, in particular in the pop Rai music, composing and writing songs and commercials. I wrote my first Nasheed titled Ya Rabbana, towards the end of 2003. But the real turning point in my music career came in year 2005 when I decided to go further into Nasheed – coming up with several Nasheeds, both for myself and for other artists as well!
Q: What brought you to Kuala Lumpur, and what made you decide to stay in Malaysia?
A: I came to Malaysia in 2002 to sing pop songs at Genting Highland, during which time I met the Malaysian singer Azura Aziz. She had expressed interest in Arabic music and we decided to embark on some joint productions. I subsequently got involved in the production of Putri Gunung Ledang the Movie, for which I found myself staying in KL for an 8-month stretch. My first trip back to Cairo did not last 3 weeks – yes you guessed it… I had to come back to marry Azura and make Malaysia my second home!
Q: As you just mentioned, pop music used to be your cup of tea. So what made you change to Nasheed?
A: First of all, I listen to and enjoy all kinds of songs and music, as long as they are entertaining, especially those with a message. Earlier on, I used to focus mostly on the music, styles and lyrics. But as I got deeper into the awareness and teachings of Islam, the more I was attracted to the idea delivering Islamic messages through my songs, which is what Nasheed is all about. On the other hand, the less-than-ideal situation Muslims are facing today globally, instills in me a sense of responsibility – to show the world glimpses of the true teachings of Islam. Along with other Nasheed singers in Malaysia and world wide, I hope to make good use of songs and music an effective tool of da’wah.
Further more, every song with a good message or good advice is a Nasheed, which reminds me of the song “Abouya” I wrote for the Betty Banafe’s album – an Arabic song about the father who passed away before he could have the opportunity of seeing his children for the last time. They all regretted being for ever ‘too busy’ to visit their father – indeed an important message to remind us of our responsibility towards our parents. Read more here
Videoclips of Cheb Ali
International Islamic Fair 2008 
