Maher Zain facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Maher Zain
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| ماهر زين | |
Zain performing in Konya, Turkey, in March 2014
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| Born |
Maher Mustafa Maher Zain
ماهر مصطفى ماهر زين 16 July 1981 |
| Occupation | |
| Years active | 2009–present |
| Musical career | |
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| Instruments |
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| Labels | Awakening Rotana |
Maher Zain (Arabic: ماهر زين) was born on July 16, 1981. He is a talented singer, songwriter, and music producer. Maher has roots in both Lebanon and Sweden. He is well-known for his unique style of R&B music. His songs often have a strong Islamic message.
Maher Zain released his first album, Thank You Allah, in 2009. This album became very popular around the world. It was produced by Awakening Records. His second album, Forgive Me, came out in 2012. His third album, One, was released in 2016.
Contents
Maher Zain's Musical Journey
Starting Out in Music
Maher Zain's family moved from Lebanon to Sweden when he was eight years old. He grew up and went to school there. He even earned a degree in aeronautical engineering, which is about designing aircraft!
After college, Maher started working in the music business in Sweden. In 2005, he teamed up with a producer named RedOne. RedOne later moved to New York, and Maher followed him. In the United States, Maher worked as a music producer for various artists.
Finding His Path
When Maher Zain returned to Sweden, he felt a stronger connection to his Islamic faith. He decided to change his career path. Instead of just producing music for others, he wanted to become a singer and songwriter himself. He chose to create contemporary R&B music with a clear Islamic influence.
Becoming a Star
In January 2009, Maher Zain began working on his first album with Awakening Records. His album, Thank You Allah, was released on November 1, 2009. It had 13 songs, plus two bonus tracks. Some songs also had different versions, like percussion or French versions.
Maher and Awakening Records used social media like Facebook and YouTube to share his music. They also used iTunes. By early 2010, his songs quickly became very popular. Many people in Arabic-speaking and Islamic countries loved his music. Young Muslims in Western countries also became big fans.
By the end of 2010, Maher Zain was the most searched celebrity in Malaysia on Google. Malaysia and Indonesia are two countries where his music has been very successful. His album Thank You Allah sold so well that it earned "multiple platinum" awards. This means it sold a huge number of copies! It was the best-selling album in Malaysia in 2010.
Singing in Many Languages
Maher Zain mainly sings in English. However, he has also released his popular songs in other languages. For example, his song "Insha Allah" is available in English, French, Arabic, Turkish, Malay, and Indonesian. Another song, "Allahi Allah Kiya Karo," is sung in Urdu. It features the singer Irfan Makki. His 2012 song "Asalamu Alayka" was sung in about six different languages.
Maher Zain has performed concerts all over the world. He has sung in the UK, the United States, Malaysia, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt. He has many fan clubs in countries like Malaysia, Egypt, and Morocco. In 2013, he even helped judge a talent contest to find new stars for Awakening Records.
Awards and Special Projects
Recognitions and Collaborations
In January 2010, Maher Zain won an award for "Best Religious Song." His song 'Ya Nabi Salam Alayka' won on Nogoum FM, a big music station in the Middle East. He beat other famous singers to win this award.
In March 2011, Maher released a song called "Freedom." This song was inspired by the events of the Arab Spring. These were big protests and changes happening in some Arab countries.
Maher Zain was named a "Muslim Star of 2011" by Onislam.net. In July 2011, he was featured on the cover of a UK Muslim lifestyle magazine called Emel.
He also collaborated with other artists. He was featured on Irfan Makki's song "I Believe."
TV Appearances
Maher Zain appeared in an Indonesian TV show called Insya-Allah. It was a drama series with 40 episodes. The show was broadcast in Malaysia and Indonesia starting in July 2012.
Special Music Projects
In 2013, Maher took part in a project called Colors of Peace. This project created songs based on the works of Fethullah Gülen. Maher Zain performed the song "This Worldly Life" on the album Rise Up.
Maher Zain's Music Albums
Studio Albums
| Year | Album details | Certifications (sales thresholds) |
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| 2009 | Thank You Allah
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| 2012 | Forgive Me
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| 2016 | One
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Compilation Albums
| Year | Album details |
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| 2014 | Singles & Duets
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| 2018 | The Best of Maher Zain Live & Acoustic
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Mini Albums
| Year | Album details |
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| 2013 | Love Will Prevail
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Ramadan
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| 2014 | Ramadan – Vocals Only Version
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| 2021 | Nour Ala Nour
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Popular Songs (Singles)
- 2009: Palestine Will Be Free
- 2010: Insha Allah
- 2010: The Chosen One
- 2011: Freedom
- 2011: Ya Nabi Salam Alayka
- 2011: For The Rest Of My Life
- 2014: Samih
- 2014: Nas Teshbehlena
- 2015: A'amarona A'amalona
- 2022: Rahmatun lil'Alameen
- 2022: Eidun Mubarak
Music Videos (Videography)
- 2009: Palestine Will Be Free
- 2009: Subhan Allah
- 2010: Insha Allah
- 2010: The Chosen One
- 2011: Freedom
- 2011: Ya Nabi Salam Alayka
- 2011: For the Rest of My Life
- 2012: Number One For Me
- 2012: So Soon
- 2012: Guide Me All the Way
- 2013: Love Will Prevail
- 2013: Ramadan
- 2014: Muhammad (P.B.U.H)
- 2014: Nas Teshbehlana (in Arabic ناس تشبهلنا)
- 2014: One Day
- 2015: A'maroona A'maloona (in Arabic أعمارنا أعمالنا)
- 2016: I am Alive (with Atif Aslam)
- 2016: By my Side
- 2016: Paradise
- 2016: Peace Be Upon You
- 2016: The Way of Love (with Mustafa Ceceli)
- 2017: Close to You
- 2017: As-subhu Bada (in Arabic الصبح بدا)
- 2017: Kun Rahma (in Arabic كن رحمة)
- 2017: Medina
- 2018: Huwa AlQuran
- 2019: Ala Nahjik Mashayt
- 2019: Live It Up (feat. Lenny Martinez)
- 2019: Ummi
- 2020: Antassalam
- 2020: Asma Allah Alhusna (The 99 Names of Allah)
- 2020: Break The Chains
- 2020: Srebrenica
- 2021: Nour Ala Nour
- 2021: Huwa Ahmadun
- 2021: Laytaka Ma'ana
- 2021: Qalbi Sajad
- 2021: Hubb Ennabi
- 2021: Nuru Nebi (in Turkish Nûru Nebi)
- 2022: No One But You
- 2022: Rahmatun Lil Alameen
- 2022: Eidun Mubarak
- 2022: Tahayya (with Humood AlKhuder)
- 2022: Dima Maghreb (with Humood AlKhuder)
- 2024: Ya Habiba Ya Falastin
- 2024: Salla Alaika Rehman
- 2024: Ey Ghafuru Rahim
- 2024: Free Palestine
- 2024: Lebanon
- Featured in
- 2011: I Believe (Irfan Makki feat. Maher Zain) (in Irfan Makki's album I Believe)
- 2009 : Never Forget (Mesut Kurtis feat. Maher Zain) (in Mesut Kurtis' album Beloved)
- 2014: So Real (Raef feat. Maher Zain) (in Raef's album The Path)
- 2014: Eidun Saeed (Mesut Kurtis feat. Maher Zain) (in Mesut Kurtis' album Tabassam)
Helping Others: Philanthropic Work
Maher Zain is also known for his charity work. He uses his music to help people in need.
- In 2013, he performed concerts in Canada. These concerts were organized by Islamic Relief to raise money for people affected by a big storm (typhoon) in the Philippines.
- Maher also took part in the "Sound of Light" event in the UK. This event was organized by Human Appeal International to support the people of Syria. He even dedicated his song "Love will prevail" to Syrians.
- For his birthday, Maher asked his 3.9 million fans on Facebook to donate money. He wanted to help a charity that builds water wells in Africa. His fans raised over $15,000 in just a few weeks!
- Maher Zain joined a rally in London to support the people of Palestine. He called for an end to military actions in Gaza.
- In August 2014, Maher took part in "The Great Wall of China Trek 2014." This was a 10-day trip with Human Appeal to raise money for clean water for children in Gaza.
- Before performing at the 2014 Nansen Refugee Award Ceremony, Maher traveled to Lebanon. He visited with Syrian refugees and saw the work of UNHCR (the UN Refugee Agency). He sang his song "One Day" about refugees at the award ceremony in Geneva.
See also
In Spanish: Maher Zain para niños
