The Nahda stage hosts two exceptional concerts: Sami Yusuf, for the opening concert on May 12th, and Nawal Al Zoghbi on Sunday, May 14th.

Rabat, Tuesday, March 7th, 2017 – True to its founding mission, Mawazine will this year introduce to its Moroccan audience great names of international and Arabic music, showcasing different styles and registers. For this 16th edition, the Nahda stage will open with the great artist Sami Yusuf’s concert and, on Sunday, May 14th, it will host, the Lebanese diva Nawal Al Zoghbi.

Proclaimed the most popular British Muslim in the world, Sami Yusuf brought forth a new kind of Islamic music. Writer, composer, singer and poet, Sami Yusuf was born in Tehran. Artistically imbued with musical compositions and writing, he grew up in London with his family.

In 2003, Sami Yusuf released his first album Al Mu’allim (The Teacher). In 2005, he released a second album with songs in English entitled, My Ummah. Since then success has been achieved in Europe and in the Arab world.

Sami Yusuf’s musical innovation resides in his reconciliation of his belonging to Islam and the evolution of the contemporary modern society. Through his music he give the true message of love, tolerance and mercy. In his album Barakah, released in 2016, Sami Yusuf claims to maintain the authenticity of the traditional arts and heritage.

Boasting more than 8 albums and 34 million copies sold, Sami Yusuf is today one of the mainstays of world music.  He is also known for his many charitable activities. The United Nations has appointed him as World Ambassador against Hunger.

On Sunday, May 14th, the Nahda stage audience will enjoy the performance of the Lebanese oriental song diva, Nawal Al Zoghbi.

Since she began her career in 1988, Nawal Al Zoghbi has released more than 14 albums. It was on Studio El Fan that she first jumped in with both feet before releasing her first opus, Wehiaty Endak. Her second, Aizah el Rad, makes her mark on the stage and paves the way for success with the title, Walla bihemini.

In 1995, a famous Lebanese impresario decided to reunite Nawal with Wael Kfoury. Together, they release three songs, the most popular of which is Min habibi ana. It is with received enthusiastic accolades in the Arab world. Two years later, Nawal released an album, Habeit ya leil, with an avant-garde video, followed in 1998 by another title which will be her no ever equaled success, Mandam Aleik. The latter allows her to definitively establish her popularity, from the Maghreb to the Persian Gulf. Since then, Nawal Al Zoghbi has continued to enrich her career with collaborations and concerts and shows throughout the world.