With UAE concert, Sami Yusuf does his bit for Syria
DUBAI: British singer Sami Yusuf’s first ever concert in Dubai was held on Friday at Dubai Opera.
During the evening, Yusuf premiered a very special song called “Glorification” which is inspired by the beautiful poetry of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, UAE prime minister and vice president and Dubai ruler.
“Praying for peace everywhere (especially in Syria & Iraq). My concert today at the @DubaiOpera isn’t just another event. It is myresponse to the madness we are witnessing before us,” the singer tweeted.
“There have been a few comments shared accusing me of not being vocal enough regarding the atrocities taking place in Syria and elsewhere. I’m hurt by this. All my efforts today are aimed at preserving & protecting our heritage and tradition(s). I am a musician not a politician nor an activist. We all have different roles to play. As we are witnessing (for the first time ever) the unbelievable mass-scale cultural assassination at an industrial level, I believe it to be my responsibility to help protect our #tradition & #heritage. Our music, culture, heritage & all that gold sacred is being desecrated before our very eyes. My role is help prevent that as I know a little in the area of the arts. We cannot do anything if we first don’t know who we are,” Yusuf wrote.
Earlier, Yusuf had expressed his delight over performing in Dubai. “Dubai in many ways represents the philosophy of my music ... that of bringing together people in celebration of our shared values, free from discrimination and prejudice. I am honored to have this opportunity to unveil a new musical composition based on the poetry of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum,” he said.