Yusuf will be a part of the Blessed Birth celebrations organized by the Antalya Intercultural Dialog Center on April 6, 2013, where he will be performing to an audience of 15 thousand. Certified as “platinum album” in Southeast Asia, Sami Yusuf’s soundtrack is also one of the best-sellers in the Arab world. Underlining the fact that the success does not belong to himself, the famous musician remarks, “Allah is the only Judgment Maker. I have been successful through His will.”
Pointing out the positive reaction he receives from his fans around the world, Yusuf mentions that he is both very lucky and grateful to his listeners. The famous musician says that he feels very much at home while in Turkey and comments, “I feel very distinguished and honored that, this time, I am here for the Blessed Birth program.” “For me, the Mawlid is a holy time for us to remember our true relationship with ‘the blessed teacher’ or ‘Al-Muallim’ (may peace and blessings be upon him) and to renew our spiritual connection with him,” Yusuf remarks.
Already singing his songs in English, Arabic, Turkish and Persian, Sami Yusuf says that he has increased the number of languages he uses to 6, with the recent addition of Swahili and Malay. As a person who loves to sing in different languages, Yusuf uses the expression, “I feel as though I am connected to those cultures.” Expressing the fact that he is aware of the recent developments in Turkey, Yusuf comments, “Turkey is a country with great history. It is only natural that such a big country go through certain changes, experiences and tests. With Allah’s will, Turkey will overcome all of this.”
Yusuf notes the fact that he has been influenced by the wise men, poets and musicians that both have played a part in Turkey’s history and are still living today. About figures such as Mawlana Jalal al-Din al-Rumi, Yunus Emre, and Fethullah Gulen, he assesses, “ The first two are the wise men of the greater history, while Gulen is a wise man that is alive today. The influence of Gulen will be appreciated in decades from now.” Responding to the question relating to the process of the Arab Spring, Yusuf says, “I pray for peace and stability to prevail in the Muslim world. I think that, at this point, the only thing we can pray for is hope and peace.”
Published [in Turkish] on fgulen.com, 25 March 2013,
