Sami Yusuf

Sami Yusuf (Persian: سامی یوسف‎, Azerbaijani: Sami Yusuf born 1980 in Tehran) is a British singer-songwriter, composer, producer and multi-instrumentalist musician of Azerbaijani origin.

In 2003 Yusuf released his first album "Al-Mu`allim" at the age of 23, selling over two million copies. Following the release of his second album "My Ummah" in 2005, Yusuf was heralded as "Islam's Biggest Rock Star" by Time magazine for his success in attracting a relatively young fan base from diverse regions across the world, many of whom were of Muslim backgrounds. Yusuf has sold over 9 million albums. In October 2010, following a five-year hiatus, Yusuf’s third official album "Wherever You Are" was launched, manifesting his self-coined genre "Spiritique". Yusuf is involved in humanitarian initiatives, supporting, among others, Islamic Relief and Save the Children.

Sami Yusuf
Yusuf in 2011
Background information
Born	July 1980 (age 32) Tehran, Iran
Genres	Spiritique
Occupations	musician, composer, producer, multi-instrumentalist, singer-songwriter
Instruments	Vocals, piano, keyboard, violin, tar, santour, tombak, oud, daf, saz
Years active	2003–present
Labels	Awakening Records 2003–2009 ETM International 2009 – present Arteffects International(Promoter) VIA Warner Music Group Religion. = Islam (Distributing Label) 2012 – present
Associated acts	Ian Brown, Sezen Aksu, Conner Reeves, Babak Radmanesh
Website	SamiYusufOfficial.com

Early life

An ethnic Azerbaijani born in Tehran, Yusuf was raised in London from the age of three. He initially began composing simple melodies starting at the age of three, and performing on stage for the first time around the age of nine.His "defining moment"musically occurred when his father loaned him a book on the basics of the Tombak [Persian instrument]. Upon returning from a tea break, his father found that the young Yusuf had mastered the book that had taken months for his students to finish.As a teenager he was a devotee of classical music and classical icons like Chopin and Mozart, admitting that he listened to Classic FM radio station for hours in a day.He went on training professionally in several other instruments including the santoor, piano, violin, oud, setar, tar, and daf under the guidance of traditional teachers, as well as professional musicians. While producing and demo-recording for another singer, he became aware of his own singing abilities which were further developed by the encouragement of his family. Divided between pursuing a musical career or studying law at King's College London, Yusuf opted for music while committed to "doing something dignified and respectable".Though he claimed to having been always spiritual, he reconnected with his Islamic faith through a "religious awakening" at the age of sixteen. He then set out to share his experience with the other young British Muslims he felt were direly in search of an identity especially post 9/11. Yusuf self-produced and released his debut album "Al-mu’allim" at the age of 23, pioneering an innovative trend other Muslim artist would seek to emulate and promote, termed "Islamic pop"

Professional career

(2003–2004) – Al-Mu'allim

Shortly before traveling to Egypt to study Arabic, Sami Yusuf released his debut album Al-Mu`allim in July 2003 and 2004, a primarily percussive album comprising eight tracks. The radiant cube and purple background of the album cover symbolized "the light of the Prophetic message illuminating the darkness of the night".Its feature song, "Al-Mu’allim", became an instant hit in the Middle East, North Africa, and South-East Asia topping the charts in Egypt and Turkey for twelve consecutive weeks, selling over two million copies worldwide. Believing that music can be a "powerful medium to promote ideas and establish dialogue within society", he coalesced Eastern percussive instrumentation and Western melodies in "Al-Mu’allim" with a focus on the English and Arabic languages. The last track, "Supplication", was used in the Golden-Globe award-nominated film, "The Kite Runner". Though the album was described as a "project to define British Muslim identity" in a post 9-11 period — with explicitly religious themes praising the Prophet Mohammad and Allah in songs (Hamd & Naat) like "The Creator" and "Ya Mustafa" — it reached the ears of unexpectedly diverse range of listeners, constituting of various nationalities, ages, and races.Redirecting the current of Muslim music through his songs and professionally produced music videos ("Al-Mu’allim" and "Supplication"), Yusuf had "unintentionally" cultivated grounds for a fresh genre of music coined "Islamic Pop"by setting a new benchmark in the religious music industry. The journal Transnational Broadcasting Studies analyzed the main causes of his success by attributing it to Yusuf’s ability to blend "a religious worldview with a mainstream form of entertainment, and in doing so, [communicating] a personable, accessible expression of the Islamic faith that is in harmony with the modern world and incorporated into the mundane activities of daily life. When asked if he was Sunni or Shia, Yusuf replied "I'm Muslim"

2005–2009) – My Ummah

Performing at Royal Concert Hall

Glasgow, April 2006

Yusuf gained worldwide recognition following the release of his second album, My Ummah, in July 2005. This album appeared in both musical and percussive versions and includes fourteen tracks. The album’s thematic elements include empowerment of women in "Free", raising awareness of the plight of victims of conflict-laden regions like Palestine and Darfur in the respective tracks of "Try Not to Cry" (featuring Outlandish) and "Make A Prayer"; "Muhammad" was dedicated to the victims of the 2004 Beslan school massacre, whereas "We Will Never Submit" protested against acquiescence to oppression. The album, both Eastern and Western in sound, utilized wide-ranging musical instrumentation from classical instruments like piano, violin, flute and drums to ethnic instruments like oud, santour, tar, drums, tombak and more. "My Ummah" was an embodiment of Yusuf’s "utopia for the Muslim World or humanity at large".Considered a breakthrough album, it sold over four million copies globally and was received enthusiastically by a diverse range of listeners, particularly young people, who identified closely with the topics included therein. Transnational Broadcasting Studies discussed the exposure of Muslim youth to a new dawn of Islamic "art with purpose", accrediting this opening to Yusuf’s music that had the power "to both preserve core cultural identity and promote spiritual and material progress".Yusuf's music video featuring the Afghan folklore "Hasbi Rabbi" became a regional hit in Egypt, and was used to launch Vodafone Egypt’s value-added-service (VAS) platform Vodafone Live.The video portrays Yusuf in multiple characters and locations: as a practicing Muslim businessman in London, a teacher playing soccer and tutoring in Taj Mahal, then a professional Volinist jubilantly laughing and chatting with his bandmates in Turkey, and finally as a jovial carpenter in the lively bazaar's of Egypt. Recognized by The Independent as the "Voice of Islam", Yusuf emphasized that he was not a "preacher", rather a musician with a message who believes in the urgent need for "a wave of people to come along and bridge the gaps, because we have so much in common, so much to learn from each other". A major addition to his artistic repertoire was Oscar-winning director Marc Forster's proposal to Yusuf to compose a credit-piece for the Golden Globe award-nominated film, The Kite Runner. Due to time constraints on both sides however, the credit piece was never realised but "Supplication", a track from Yusuf’s debut album, was used to voice one of the film’s climactic scenes. Reluctant to be dubbed as "Islam’s Biggest Rock Star" by Time, Yusuf later explained that he does not "want to be a rock star ... a popstar. ... I just want to make good music, and do what I feel I’m confident in doing ... and that’s music".

(2005–2009) Dispute with Former Label

In a contractual dispute lasting from 2008 to 2009, Yusuf legally separated from his former record label Awakening. He claimed the "third" album, Without You, released by Awakening in January 2009, was released without his prior "blessings nor consent". He stated: "I therefore wish to make it perfectly clear that an album comprised of any such recordings could only be put on to the market against my wishes and without my approval". Sami Yusuf subsequently stated on his official website that this album was released without his knowledge or consent, and is a compilation of demos and sketches with a quality inferior to his normally high standards. He has called for fans to boycott it.However as of April 2009 Awakening Records continues to feature the album prominently on the Sami Yusuf part of its website, saying that the album is "a complete and high quality album" consisting of "11 professionally recorded tracks", and that " Sami Yusuf is signed exclusively to Awakening Records for five albums."In mid-2009, he signed a five-album contract with the UK-based record label ETM International.

(2009 – 2012) – Wherever You Are Pre-Release

In July 2009, Yusuf was awarded an honorary Doctor of LetteOrs degree in recognition of his "extraordinary contributions to the field of music" by Roehampton University in southwest London. Earlier in the year, he was selected to serve as the first Global Ambassador of HH Sheikha Moza Bint Nasser’s (Qatar's First Lady) initiative, Silatech, which seeks to engage "the public, private and civil society sectors to promote large-scale job creation, entrepreneurship and access to capital and markets for young people". Ranked in the "Top 500 Influential Muslims of 2009 (and 2010) ", a publication edited by Georgetown University’s John Esposito and Ibrahim Kahlin, Yusuf was described as an "internationally popular British singer-songwriter whose music has revolutionized the nasheed industry. ... He is also known for his extensive involvement in charity work". Yusuf released his video single, "You Came To Me," in four languages (English, Arabic, Turkish, and Persian) in the summer of 2009. Rolling Stone magazine called the style by which Yusuf sung the track’s lyrics "touching", listing it as one of the key tracks of the "Wherever You Are" album. SamiYusufOfficial.com announced the release of "Wherever You Are", Yusuf’s third official album, in March 2010, introducing it as "A renaissance. A Rebirth. A New Beginning". Meanwhile in the following summer, Yusuf shared his music video "Healing" sung in English and Arabic that was created in cooperation with the KSA-based International Medical Center. It was also listed as another key track by Rolling Stone magazine. In reference to the song’s underlying philosophy of generosity in lines like "Heal and you will be healed/…Give and you will receive/It’s nature’s order", Yusuf’s wrote on his blog: "I hope it helps, albeit in some small way, in showing that every single one of us can be a healer". Amidst the torrential monsoons that wreaked havoc in Pakistan and affected 20 million lives in the summer of 2010, he promptly released a charity single entitled "Hear Your Call", performed in English and Urdu, to raise funds for the displaced Pakistanis in a joint-effort with the UN-sponsored charity organization Save the Children. The song was featured on a short film by the United Nations Office for Coordination of Human Affairs (OCHA) appealing for renewed donations towards the relief effort. Prompted by the protests and clashes that transpired in Egypt in February 2011, Yusuf released a free track entitled "I’m Your Hope", dedicating it to the "Shabaab" or youth. The lyrics are in English and Arabic. Sami Yusuf has expressed keen interest on initiating his own "record company to help artists and talents that are not supported" in the near future.

(2009–2012) Wherever You Are: "New Chapter" and"Spiritique"

Performing live in the Maida Vale Studios, Yusuf explained that "It's 2009, I have different challenges, I've got different issues and I will not sing religious-themed music just for the sake of business – it's got to be what I feel". After a five-yearlong hiatus, Yusuf released his third, official studio album named Wherever You Are in October 2010, welcoming what he termed a "New Chapter" in his professional career and music. "Spiritique" is Yusuf’s self-coined musical and philosophical classification of his music. Spiritique, according to Yusuf, is a blend of both the "oriental and occidental" sounds, underpinned by spirituality that "will utilize music as a facilitator for spiritual appreciation, regardless of race and religion". Yusuf considers it his new sound and "something [he] wants to stand for from now". With the exceptions of songs like "No Word is Worthy", "You Came To Me" and "Salaam" (though the latter is more of a 'humanitarian ode' than religiously themed) the 12 track-set album purposely draws less upon religious content leaving room for interpretation for listeners of all backgrounds. Yusuf maintains, however, that it follows the "same principles and ingredients [of] honesty, [and] sincerity". Introducing the album in its official trailer as a "mini diary of events" that occurred from 2007 to 2010, Yusuf emphasized that the content is essentially a reflection of his worldview: "This third album is about who I am and the reality of the day and age we are living in. It talks about the hypocrisy. ... it’s quite dark". Songs like "Give the Young A Chance", featuring lyrics by Ian Brown, incorporate heavy usage of metaphors, likening the youth to "jewels" and allusions to "gardens where birds will sing lullabies" and "sweet scents fill the air". British singer-songwriter Conner Reeves and Turkish singer Sezen Aksu also collaborated with Yusuf in the track "Without You". "In Every Tear, He Is There" song, another track collaboration with Conner Reeves, concludes with an African choir singing "In Every Tear/ That is where/He is There" repeatedly in Zulu. "Fragile World", Yusuf’s admittedly own favorite track, is reflective of the "dark" experiences he underwent throughout the years. Though predominantly performed in English, several tracks include verses in Arabic, Malaysian, Persian and Urdu. It has been given 3.5 stars out of 4 by Rolling Stone magazine, and commended as a "beautifully produced album". Sami Yusuf has visited Turkey, UAE, and Qatar to promote "Wherever You Are" and is due to travel to Egypt, Singapore, Malaysia, and Jordan in the near future, plus an upcoming European tour scheduled for spring 2011. In Late 2011, ETM began distributing with Sony Music Malaysia with Sami Yusuf's album "Wherever you are". The video for "In Every Tear He Is There" has been released and that for "Make Me Strong" was released on 6 April 2012.

(2012-present) Release of "Salaam"

Yusuf's fourth and latest album was released in December 2012. The physical version was released on 22 December, while the digital version was released later, on 24 December.

Notable tours and concert performances

Yusuf arrives in the Netherlands on tour in 2006

Yusuf’s tours and concert performances throughout the past eight years have been extensive. His tours include sold-out concerts in the Royal Albert Hall and Royal Concert Hall in the UK in 2006, in addition to a comprehensive Germany tour in 2007.He performed to crowds of thousands in Bosnia, Canada, France, Belgium, Austria, Spain, Denmark, Greece, and the Netherlands (which he considers one of his favorite concerts). He toured the United States in 2006 and 2007, singing at venues in Los Angeles, Detroit, Dallas, Chicago, and New Jersey in venues like the LA Shrine Auditorium. In the Middle East and Asian regions, he performed to tens of thousands in Egypt’s Cairo and Alexandria, Qatar, Kuwait, UAE, Algeria, Bahrain, Syria, Jordan, Tajikistan, and Saudi Arabia. He received a record crowd of 250,000 in Istanbul, Turkey earning the name "Islam’s Biggest Rock Star" in Time magazine. In an early concert in Azerbaijan, Yusuf experienced what he likened to a "hero’s welcome" in his ancestral homeland. Over 50,000 people attend his shows in the Casa Music Festival in Casablanca, Morocco in 2007, exceeding by double the venue’s space limit. In the highly publicized concert at Wembley Arena [dubbed the press as the "Muslim Live Aid"], which served as a milestone event where approximately two million pounds were raised for the relief effort in Darfur, Sudan. It was warmly received by a thank-you video message by the British Prime Minister, Gordon Brown. Performing in The Velodrome in Cape Town, Durban, and Johannesburg in his 2008 South Africa Tour, Yusuf accompanied the Agape Children Orphanage’s choir, singing along with their feature song "We Are Together" – the title of a multi-award winning HBO film on the Agape Children’s Orphanage. After performing in the Moroccan Fez Wold Sacred Music Festival in 2009, he agreed to do a free concert for the locals that drew in approximately a hundred thousand attendees, with one day’s notice. Packing venues again in Faruma Arena, Denmark, Grugahalle in Germany, and De Doelen in Netherlands, Yusuf introduced his forthcoming album, "Wherever You Are". Sami Yusuf has visited Turkey, UAE, and Qatar to promote "Wherever You Are".

Acclaim and recognition

• "Islam’s Biggest Rock Star" – Time Magazine (2006)
• "Biggest Star in the Middle East" – Guardian (2006)
• "King of Islamic Pop" – Al-Jazeera (2007)
• IOL Star of 2009 (2009)
• 500 Most Influential Muslims in 2009 (2009)
• BBC’s 30 More Famous Britons (2009)
• First Global Ambassador of Silatech (2009 – Present)
• Doctor of Letters Award – Roehampton University (2009)
• 500 Most Influential Muslims in 2010 (2010)

Collaborations

• Outlandish – Try Not to Cry, I’ve Seen (2005)
• Hamza Robertson - Your Beauty (2007)
• Erkan Mutlu – Wherever You Are (2010)
• Sezen Aksu – Wherever You Are (2010)
  
• Ian Brown – Wherever You Are (2010)
• Conner Reeves – Wherever You Are (2010)
• Siti Nurhaliza – Salaam (2012)

Charity work and humanitarian initiatives

• Charity Event for Disabled Children – Cairo, Egypt (2005)
• Evening of Inspiration – Islamic Relief/UK Tour (2006)
• Evening of Inspiration – Islamic Relief/US Tour (2006)
• Evening of Inspiration – Islamic Relief/US Tour (2007)
• Wembley Arena – UK (2007)
• Agape Children’s Orphanage concert – South Africa (2008)
• Telethon Fundraiser for Gaza (2009)
• Gaza Rally – Istanbul, Turkey (2009)
• First global ambassador of Silatech (2009)
• "Hear Your Call" – Save the Children, Pakistan (2010)
• "I’m Your Hope" (2011)
• "In Every Tear, He Is There" – Haiti, South Africa (2011)

Discography

• Al-Mu`allim (2003) – 3 Million
• My Ummah (2005) – 4 Million
• Without You (disputed) (2009)
• Wherever You Are (2010) – 5 Million
• Salaam (2012)

Soundtracks (singles)

• "Supplication" – Adapted in "The Kite Runner" (2007)
• "Asma Allah" (2007)
• "Palestine Forever" (2009)
• "Hear Your Call" (2010)
• "I’m Your Hope" (2011)
• "The Source" (2011)
• "Forgotten Promises" (2011)

Music videos

• Al-Mu’allim – Dir. Hani Osama
• Supplication – Dir. Hani Osama
• Hasbi Rabbi – Dir. Hani Osama
• Mother – Dir. Hani Osama
• Munajat
• Asma Allah – Dir. Hani Osama
• Healing – Dir. Jacob Viit Kusk
• You Came to Me – Dir. Jacob Viit Kusk
• In Every Tear, He Is There – Dir. Jacob Viit Kusk
• Hear Your Call – Dir. Daniyal Noorani
• I’m Your Hope – Dir. Kareem Shaaban
• Forgotten Promises - Dir. Siros Kerdouni
• Make Me Strong – Dir. Jacob Viit Kusk
• It's A Game – Dir. Jorge Bompart
• Wherever You Are | Acoustic - Arabic − Dir. Siros Kerdouni
• Wherever You Are | Acoustic - Farsi − Dir. Siros Kerdouni

Mehmetcan Mincinozlu

Mehmetcan Mincinozlu  is a Turkish Actor and Model. He was born in Istanbul on February 24, 1984 studied in St. Georg Austrian High School and later graduated from Mimar Sinan University State Conservatory Theatre Department. He is very good at playing guitar and drums. He is getting popular for his role as Saad in drama serial Fareb ( Eve Düşen Yıldırım ) which is recently broadcasted in Pakistan by Express Entertainment. He is playing lead role against Munazza  ( Gizem Karaca ). The couple is getting immense popularity amongst the people of Pakistan.

Date of Birth

24 February1984, Istanbul, Turkey

Height:

6' 4" (1.93 m)

Star Sign:

Pisces

 

Notable Work:

 

Eve Dusen Yildirim

Melekler Korusun 

Filmography

Taken in the TV Series

• Eve Düşen Yıldırım (Fareb) (2012) Character: Sait (Saad)
• Had Dinner Day (2011) Character: Tariq
• Little Secrets (2010) Personality: Leo Cem
• Breath (2009) Character: Marine
• Angels Bless You (Melekler Korusun) (2008) Character: Sarp
• Apartment Life (2007) Character: Yakup Kadri
• Two Family (2006) Character: Anil Tokatçıoğlu
• High School Book (2003) Character: Alpine

 

Ramadan Blessings :')

 

 

O who believe, fasting is decreed for you as it was decreed for those before you; perchance you will guard yourselves.

The month of Ramadan is the month in which the Quran was sent down, a guidance for the people, and clear verses of guidance and criterion. [Quran: Chapter 2, 183]


Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar and Muslims are required to fast during this month.  The fast is to abstain from food, drink and marital relations from dawn until sunset, but Muslims are also encouraged to increase in their worship in general and also the recital of the Holy Qur’an.  In accordance with the practice of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) Charity is also encouraged in this month and many choose this time of the year to fulfill the requirement of Zakaat.

It is appropriate that every Muslim should receive the blessed month of Ramadan with repentance, sincerity, resoluteness and earnestness. He/she should make the intention to perform extra acts of devotion and worship therein, including the Night Prayer (qiyam), recitation of Qur'an, and abundant charity to the poor and needy.

On the authority of Anas (may Allah be pleased with him): The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace), used to say the following when the month of Rajab began. "Oh Allah! Bless us in Rajab and Sha`ban, and bring us, oh Allah, to Ramadan." [Narrated by Tabarani and Ahmad]

The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) addressed his companions on the last day of Sha`ban, saying, "Oh people! A great month has come over you; a blessed month; a month in which is a night better than a thousand months; month in which Allah has made it compulsory upon you to fast by day, and voluntary to pray by night. Whoever draws nearer (to Allah) by performing any of the (optional) good deeds in (this month) shall receive the same reward as performing an obligatory deed at any other time, and whoever discharges an obligatory deed in (this month) shall receive the reward of performing seventy obligations at any other time. It is the month of patience, and the reward of patience is Heaven. It is the month of charity, and a month in which a believer's sustenance is increased. Whoever gives food to a fasting person to break his fast, shall have his sins forgiven, and he will be saved from the Fire of Hell, and he shall have the same reward as the fasting person, without his reward being diminished at all." [Narrated by Ibn Khuzaymah]

In another hadith, the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) says, "Ramadan has come to you. (It is) a month of blessing, in which Allah covers you with blessing, for He sends down Mercy, decreases sins and answers prayers. In it, Allah looks at your competition (in good deeds), and boasts about you to His angels. So show Allah goodness from yourselves, for the unfortunate one is he who is deprived in (this month) of the mercy of Allah, the Mighty, the Exalted." [Narrated by Tabarani]

The preceding hadiths bring attention to readiness and preparation for receiving Ramadan. This is achieved by having a clear understanding of this month in one's mind, and greeting Ramadan with love and yearning. Also, one should have the determination and intention to perform good deeds and worship, and one should lay down a program to accomplish this in the days of the blessed month.

It is communally obligatory upon the Muslims to seek the crescent at the time of sunset on the 29th day of Sha`ban, and the 29th day of Ramadan, in order to verify the status of the start and end of their fasting. When seeing the crescent, it is sunnah for the Muslim to supplicate with the following supplication, which has been reported from the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace).

On the authority of Talhah ibn `Ubaydullah (may Allah be pleased with him): when the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) saw the crescent, he used to say, "Oh Allah! Cause it to appear over us with prosperity, faith (Iman), security and Islam. (Then to the moon:) My Lord and your Lord is Allah." [Narrated by Tirmidhi, who said it is a good (hasan) hadith.]

Qatadah said that he was informed that the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) used to say, when seeing the crescent, "A crescent of goodness and orientation, a crescent of goodness and orientation, a crescent of goodness and orientation. (To the moon:) I believe in Allah who created you." (Three times), and then he would say, "Praise be to Allah who has taken away such- and-such month and brought such-and-such month." [Narrated by Abu Dawud]

The month of Ramadan has excellences over the other months, as is testified to by the Qur'an and Sunnah, and out of these we will bring to attention the following virtues:

1. It is the month of the Qur'an, with regards to revelation and study. ("The month of Ramadan is that in which was revealed the Qur'an." [Qur'an, 2:185]). On the authority of Ibn `Abbas: Angel Gabriel used to meet the Prophet every night in Ramadan and used to study Qur'an with him.
2. It is the month of seclusion. Ibn `Umar said, "The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) used to seclude himself for the last ten days of the month of Ramadan."
3. It is the month of generosity. Ibn `Abbas said, "The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) used to be at his most generous in Ramadan."

4. It is the month of standing (in voluntary night prayer). On the authority of Abu Hurayrah: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) said, "Whoever stands (in voluntary night prayer) during Ramadan, with faith and in expectancy of reward, his previous sins are forgiven him."
5. It is the month of the compulsory fast, because of Allah's saying, "So, whoever among you witnesses the month should fast." [Qur'an, 2:185] A terrible error prevalent among people is to talk about Ramadan just as they talk about the obligation of fasting, as if Ramadan and fasting are synonymous, each carrying the meaning of the other and not anything more nor less. Yet, fasting is one of many acts of worship in Ramadan.

Many reports have been narrated from the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) explaining the distinction of Ramadan, of which we have selected the following.
"The month of Ramadan has come to you; a month of goodness and blessing." [Ibn Khuzaymah]
"The Master of the Months is Ramadan, and the Master of the days is Friday." [Ibn Khuzaymah]
"Whoever fasted Ramadan with faith and in expectancy of reward, his previous sins are forgiven him." [Bukhari and Muslim]

"When Ramadan comes, the gates of Heaven are opened, the gates of Hell are closed, and the devils are chained." And in a narration from Nasa'i, the following words are added: "and a caller calls out every night: 'Oh seeker of Good, draw near! Oh seeker of Evil, desist!' "

Now What?

 The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, "Knowledge is only through study." While some knowledge can be gained from reading or casually listening to lectures, the best means to gain knowledge is through finding a qualified teacher and then setting up a systematic program of learning. Picking up a book or reading an article and trying to figure things out on our own is no substitute for learning from someone who has a direct link to our living tradition.

Gizem Karaca

Gizem Karaca (born 7 September 1992) is a Turkish actress and model who represented her country at the 2011 Miss World pageant.
Gizem is a student at the faculty of social sciences at Istanbul University. Besides her mother tongue, she can speak English and French. She stands at 173 cm tall and weighs 53 kg. She competed at the Miss Turkey pageant held on June 2, 2011 at TIM Show Centre and finished second overall, which selected her as Turkey's representative for Miss World. 

Beauty pageant titleholder
Born	Gizem Karaca September 7, 1992 (age 20) Istanbul, Turkey
Height	1.70 m (5 ft 7 in)
Hair color	Blonde
Eye color	Brown
Title(s)	Miss Turkey World 2011
Major competition(s)	Miss Turkey 2011 (second place) Miss World 2011

Birth Place:    Istanbul, Turkey                             

Nationality:    Turkish                                          

  Religion:         Muslim                                         

Star:               Cancer                                         

Occupation:    Model, Actress                            

Awards:         Miss Turkey World 2011                

She represented her country at the 2011 Miss World pageant. Gizem is a student at the faculty of social sciences at Istanbul University. Besides her mother tongue, she can speak English and French. She stands at 173 cm tall and weighs 53 kg. She competed at the Miss Turkey pageant held on June 2, 2011 at TIM Show Centre and finished second overall, which selected her as Turkey's representative for Miss World.

Shahid Afridi Interview

Pakistan’s pride, the world-class batsman and all rounder player Boom Boom Afridi doesnot need to be introduced. Shahid Afridi started his carrier in 1996  when he was just 16. In his first international innings he played excellent and his score exceeded 100. He has got the title of “boom boom”  because of his excellence.

 Question: What would Shahid Afridi be doing today if he had never become a cricketer?

Boom Boom: If I didn't play international cricket, I would have joined the Army.


Question: Did anyone coach your style of batting or is it completely natural?

Boom Boom: It's natural, I never had a coach teach me, my style of batting, nor do I believe in coaching at an international level.


Question: Are you surprised that your 37 ball century record hasnt been broken yet? 

Boom Boom: Do you want someone to break it? 

Question: Do you think you can break it again?

Boom Boom: No i don't think I could break it again but then records are there to be broken.

Question: Which other players do you think could break it?

Boom Boom: Who ever has a good game on their day could break it.

Question: Who were your cricketing heroes both Pakistani and non-Pakistani?

Boom Boom: Imran Khan was my ideal. Other than him I enjoyed watching Mark Waugh, Lara, Sachin & Inzi bhai.

Question: Have you ever been at the crease with a batsman who was out-hitting, be it Ijaz, Imran Nazir, Razzaq, Azhar? have you ever been challenged by another batsman to see who can score the fastest.

Boom Boom: Never, they don't want to try it..

Question: You've already hit 303 International sixes, tell us about the most memorable sixes you've ever hit? 

Boom Boom: I can remember about 3 or 4 years back during the VB series I hit some big sixes off McGrath and Lee's bowling, they're two of the best ODI bowlers in the world and I'd never thrashed their bowling before so that was some very memorable six hitting for me.

Question: What bowler have you most enjoyed hitting sixes against?

Boom Boom: It was during the same VB series and the bowlers were Mcgrath and Lee.


Question: What was your best performance with the ball in any form of cricket?

Boom Boom: It was under Inzi Bhai's captaincy during the Bangalore test match vs India, my 3 wickets in the 2nd innings broke the Indian middle order and I'll never forget forget the way we won that match.

Question: What has been your best performance with the bat in any form of cricket?

Boom Boom: The 141 runs in scored in Chennai vs India is an innings that I remember vividly to this day.


Question: We've seen you bowl an 85 MPH spin delivery, Why don't you bowl as quickie?

Boom Boom: Actually I started out as a fast bowler but people told me that I was chucking the ball, so i changed to spin.


Question: Did you ever consider becoming a fast bowler, you have the physique and power of a fast bowler so why did you choose to bowl spin?

Boom Boom: No, you see fast bowling is not an easy job. Especially if you are also a batsman as well as being a fast bowler, a fast bowler has to work harder than any other cricketer on his fitness.


Question: Do you still bowl fast in the nets?

Boom Boom: No i just stick to my leg spin.


Question: Your faster ball has enabled you to take many wickets. Why have you stopped bowling this type of delivery?

Boom Boom: The reason for that, is that my faster delivery causes problems for the wicket keepers.


Question: Most cricketers want to make a name for themselves in Test cricket and they give more importance to their Test careers but you are more concerned about ODIs and don't seem to enjoy Test cricket even though you've been very successful when playing Test matches, why is that?

Boom Boom: (gets quite passionate about his answer) It's not that I don't like to play Test cricket, that's not the issue. They don't play me. There's no consistency in the way I'm picked to play Test cricket. Sometimes I'm playing and other times I don't even make the squad and it makes me think maybe it's better that I just don't play any Test cricket at all. But as of now I really want to play Test cricket, I know that at this moment, the team needs me and I would do anything for the team.

Question: Why did you retire from Test cricket and what made you change your mind and come back?

Boom Boom: It was a rash decision on my part, I didnt think it through properly before making the announcement. My well wishers were very upset with me and they convinced me that I should reverse my decision so I came back.


Question: Do you find that the constant crowd anticipation for you to hit every ball for 6 affects the way you bat? How do you counter act this. Does crowd pressure make you try to hit sixes every ball?

Boom Boom: It's very difficult for me because the plans I have in my my head before I go out to bat get forgotten, when I go out there it's like hitting a wall of sound and I forget whatever we had discussed minutes earlier in the dressing room.


Question: How do you cope with pressure like that?

Boom Boom: (switches to English) I'm not very strong mentally, I'm straight forward.


Question: If in a few years in the future you became captain of Pakistan, what changes would you make?

Boom Boom: If i am ever given the captaincy, I will be very tight on my players to keep them in line. 


Question: Do you think the Pakistan team of the last few years has been aggressive enough?

Boom Boom: Not really, we haven't been aggressive enough.

Question: Is there any truth to the rumors that there is tension between you and Malik because on the field you always seem very close and friendly with each other.

Boom Boom: We get along just fine. It is sad that some people in the media like to create stories to sell their media, without any real facts to back up their stories.


Question: At Question: Net, you're known as "The Beast" because of the way you destroy bowling and attacks and bowlers on the pitch. Do you have any beastly messages or quotes for your huge fan base?

Boom Boom: The only thing i would say to my fans at Pakistani passion is always try to understand and educate yourselves on the reasons why Allah has given you life, do that part first then enjoy the rest of life and Chill out...

STORY BEHIND YOUR DATE OF BIRTH

STORY BEHIND YOUR DATE OF BIRTH !!!! Interesting !!

Hey this is really true and see it will work for you too

If U were born on the 1st, 10th, 19th, 28th of any month U r number 1....

If U were born on the 2nd, 11th, 20th, 29th of any month then U r number 2...

If U were born on the 3rd, 12th, 21st, 30th of any month then U r number 3...

If U were born on the 4th, 13th, 22nd, 31st of any month then U r number 4...

If U were born on the 5th, 14th, 23rd of any month then U r number 5...

If U were born on the 6th, 15th, 24th of any month then U r number 6...

If U were born on the 7th, 16th, 25th of any month then U r number 7...

If U were born on the 8th,17th,26th of any month then U r number 8...

If U were born on the 9th,18th,27th of any month then U r number 9...

Number 1

You are smart, straight talking, funny, stubborn, hardworking, honest,Jealous on competing basis, kind hearted, angry, friendly, authorities, Famous person... always want to be and regarded as first on people position, they are often like to be independent, will never be under others, self confident people!

You are most likely to fall in love in the younger age, but will get marry when you mature! You are likely to have problems with people who have opposite views
And you are most likely to take revenge over your enemies in a long time basis. You are a spender, but you will have a good profession in the future.

If you are guy you will be very popular that everybody will have mental attraction and respect at you. You can go anywhere from the local shop to the heart of the parliament because you are positive and well talented in numerous issues!! But in your life you will always have some people who will work hard to bring you & your name down. This is undercover!! Cause of your smart behavior you will be hated by some people too...

Your family life is very cool, you will have a very nice partner & wonderful children... You are pioneer, independent & original...

Your best match is 4,6,8 good match is 3,5,7 !!!

note: if u dont share bad luck for 10 years it true please dont ignore

Number 2

No matter what, you will be loved by every one coz your ruler is the moon and every one loves the Moon. Well.. You are a person who day dream a lot, you have very low-self confidence, you need back up for every move in your life, you are very much unpredictable. Means you do change according to time and circumstances, kind a selfish, have a very strong sense of musical, artistic talent, verbal communication.

Your attitudes are like the Moon, comes to gloom and fade away so everybody can expect changes in you. You can be a next Mahatma Gandhi who does peace love or you can be a Hitler who wants to destroy the man kind and peace (I mean in the community and your own home).

If you really have a deep thought about your own believe in God you can feel the difference which will make you stronger! Most of the time your words are a kind of would be happening true! So without any knowledge you can predict the situation. You will become poets, writers, any Artistic business people!

You are not strong in love, so you will be there and here till you get marry.. If U r a girl you will be a responsible woman in the whole family. If U r a man you will involve in fights & arguments in the family or Vice versa. Means you will sacrifice your life for the goodness sake of Your family...You are gentle , intuitive with a broad vision, a power behind the scenes, well balanced People!!!

Your best match is 2 ,5 ,9 no other people can put up with you !!!

note: if u dont share bad luck for 10 years it true please dont ignore

Number 3

You are a person of hard hearted, selfish most of the times, religious, loves to climb up in your life. You always tend to have lots of problems within your family in the early stages but you will put up with everything.. You have the strong word power, pretty happy face.. So wherever you go always you have got what you wanted!!! And from the birth always wanted to work hard in order to achieve something.. You will not get anything without hardwork! When you reach a man/ woman age you want other younger once to listen to you because you want younger people to respect people older than them. You do set so many examples to others.

Generally you are not a cool person. It's not easy thing dealing with you. A tough player you are! But once you like someone's attitude then here you go, what can I say? It will be a lasting friendship. You always have respect from others.

Your life seems to have lots of worries and problems but sure they won't be long.. you will always have brilliant kids!!! You love the money a bit too much so temptation will push you to endless trying and trying.. If you are a guy then it's over. Looking after your family and help friends, so you will spend a life time just being generous and kind (except 21st born men). And number 3s you will
be such an example of how to be in the culture & life!!! If you are girl then you have good character and culture & hardworking attitude. You always follow.

You are a freedom lover, creative, ambition focused, a person who brings beauty , hope & joy to this world!!!

Your best match 6 ,9. Good match 1 ,3 ,5 !!!

note: if u dont share bad luck for 10 years it true please dont ignore

Number 4

You are very stubborn too, very hard working but unlucky in important matters in life, very cool, helpful, you have rough word power.. Might put lots of people away from you, you may cause nuisance to others if you are a man, and you often understands others and their problems well. If you are a girl you are very good with studies and arts. If you are a guy you spend most of the time after girl friends (almost) at times, you will have sort of too much fun life with mates & girls. Your friends will spend your time & money and get away with their life and you will become empty handed and don't know what to do... So be careful!! You love to spend anyway!!!

Your good will is you are always there to help family and friends. Tell you what you people are little gem! s, specially the girls.. You always fall in love in younger age as well. You often live with disappointments, for an example you have got a degree in some thing... but you will be unemployed.. or will do very ordinary jobs.

But you will take care of your family very well...All you need to be careful of people who will take advantage of your kind heart. And beware of your relations too..

You are radical, patient, persistent,a bit old-fashioned, you live with foundation & order...

Your best Match 1, 8. Good match 5 ,6 , 7 !!!

 note: if u dont share bad luck for 10 years it true please dont ignore

Number 5

You are very popular within the community, you can get things done by just chatting..to even enemies! You have a pretty good business mind, you are often have no-idea what is today is like, or tomorrow is like, you are a person who does anything when your head thinks "lets do this". You will be famous if you open up a business, get involve in share dealings, music etc.. Very popular with sense of humor ,you are the one your friends and families will always ask for help, and you are the one actually get money on credit and help your friends. You will have more than 1 relationship, but when u get settle down you will be a bit selfish anyway. Cause your other half will have a pretty good amount of control in you, be careful! You tend to go for other relationships! Contacts even you are married at times 'coz your popularity..

You are someone who get along with anyone coz the number 5 is the middle number.. Changes & freedom lovers you are! You are an explorer with magic on your face. You learn your life through experience and it's your best teacher!!!

Your best match 1 ,2 ,9. Good match 6 ,8 !!!

note: if u dont share bad luck for 10 years it true please dont ignore

Number 6

Ooopppss..you are born to enjoy.. You don't care about others. I mean you are always want to enjoy your life time, you are a person.. You will be very good in either education or work wise or business management! You are talented, kind (but with only people who you think are nice), very beautiful girls and guys, popular and more than lucky with anything in your lives. All the goodness does come with you. Your mind and body is just made perfect for love.

You are lovable by any other numbers. But if you are a number 6 man, you will experience kind of looks from most girls and will involve in more than few relationships until you get married. If you are girl, most of you will get marry/engaged early. You are a caring person towards your family & friends .

If you miss the half-way mark then you are about to suffer physically and mentally. Generally you will lead a very good inner-home happiness with nothing short of. You are a person of compassion, comfort & fairness, domestic responsibility, good judgment, and after all you can heal this world wounds to make peace for every life coz you have the great power of caring talent to make this world of love one step further...

Your best match 1, 6, 9. Good match 4, 5 !!!

note: if u dont share bad luck for 10 years it true please dont ignore

Number 7

You have got the attraction to anyone out there, you are realistic, very confident, happy, such a talented individual with your education, music, arts, singing, and most importantly acting too. You have real problems with bad temper! If you are a girl, you are popular with the subjects listed above.

You give up things for your parents. I mean you value your family status a lot, you will be in the top rank when you reach a certain age. If you are a guy you are popular with girls, you are a very talented too. Most of the number 7s face lots of problems with their marriage life.

Only a very few are happy. You have everything in your life, but still always number 7s have some sort of unfullfilness, such worries all their lifetime.

It's probably the Lord given you all sort of over the standard humans talents and you are about to suffer in family life. So you need to get ready looking for a partner rather than waiting. If you don't, then you might end-up single. So take care with this issue, ok?

You are wonderful, friendly, artistic, happy person.. You are born to contribute lots to this world!!!

Your best match is 2. Good matches are 1,4 !!!

note: if u dont share bad luck for 10 years it true please dont ignore

Number 8

You are a very strong personality, there's no one out there will understand you. You are very good at pointing your finger at some thing and say "this is what".
You are more likely to suffer from the early ages. I mean poverty. If your times are not good you might lose either of your parent and end up looking after your entire family. You often suffer all the way in life.

The problems will not allow you to study further, but you will learn the life in a very practical way. You are the one who will fight for justice and may die in the war too. You are normally very reserved with handful of friends and most of the time live life lonely and always prepared to help others.

Well. once you get married (which is often late) then your bad lucks will go away a bit and you! u become safe. You will face un-expected problems such as :
the error, government, poisonous animals, accidents.

You are some one with great discipline, persistence, courage, strength which will take you to success. You are a great part of a family team. You are a fighter!

Your Best match 1 ,4, 8. Good match 5 !!!

note: if u dont share bad luck for 10 years it true please dont ignore

Number 9

Hey...you guys are the incompatibles people in the world. You are so strong, physically and mentally... You are often have big-aims. You will work hard and hard to get there. Normally you suffer in the early age from family problems and generally you will have fighting life.. But when you achieve what you have done, it's always a big task you have done! You are so much respected in the community, you are a person who can make a challenge and successfully finish the matter off.

You are very naughty in your younger age, often beaten up by your parents and involve in fights and you seemed to have lots of injuries in your life time. But when u grow you become calm and macho type.

Love is not an easy matter for you. You are good in engineering or banking jobs coz people always trust you.

Your family life is very good, but will have worries over your children.

Your such qualities are humanitarian, patient, very wise & compassionate.

You are born to achieve targets and serve every one all equally without any prejudice.

You are totally a role model to anybody in the world for a great inspiration.

Your Best match 3, 5, 6, 9. Good match 2

Shahid afridi's interview after champions trophy 2013

Shahid Afridi is one of the great player. We can never forget his game & always pay him respect & regard forever. No matter even if he didn't play , only his presence is enough for the opposite team. He has gave his precious time to cricket and has played very well that is incomparable.
even he play or not. Afridi can't hide anything, straight forward and sincere Pakistani Pathan very friendly interview.
Boom Boom Afridi :)
to watch video of his interview click here:

http://vimeo.com/68873329

Engin Akyürek Interview with Kısaca Sinema:

Now we are presentimg to you a pleasant chat of famous Cinema and TV actor, Engin Akyurek with Kisaca sinema.. I hope you all will like it.


Q1) how did you begin acting:

How did I begin acting? For me there are two periods...Firstly there's the period in which I did theatre in Ankara just after university. The other period is when I came to Istanbul to enter the industry... doing TV shows within the industry.I came to Istanbul in an interesting way, I came here via a talent competition and it progressed after that. Things happend, things happend..My coming to Istanbul, and being in this industry is all due to that competition I'd entered.

Q2) how do you prepare for tv roles,they are of long time and uncertain,how its different from cinema/movies?

Of course TV (roles) can be of long duration, for example...you can film 100-200 episodes, they can go for three years, that's why you need to think about them in long term, prepare and devote alot of concentration, it's ongoing. If you do a film role, 20-30 days and it's done. Then you concentrate on something else.TV shows have an interesting...tempo
Within that tempo, you show the development of the character depending on the popularity of the show, and the public reaction..it can evolve into something else and you have to always be prepared for that.This is how it can differ from the theatre or cinema,there's a certain scenario there (in movies), and you play that scenario,in a series you don't know what's going to happen in the 50th episode but whilst you're acting in the 1st episode, you have to think about what may occur in the 50th episode.

Q3) Is There an advantage to an actor who has thetre training and experience?

As an actor doing theatre is always an advantage. To enter into the Conservatory is a big advantage also...but this is all dependent on the individual. Because it's a very individualised career, that requires talent, ultimately this isn't medicine, there's no life or death danger in what you do. It's completely up to you.
Someone who hasn't graduated from the Conservatory (or Arts) can still be incredibly successful.But you can always graduate from the Conservatory, get an academic understanding of the industry...these are all to your advantage,But there are still many people(actors) , whom aren't Conservatory graduates that are still very successful.

Q4) Tell us about your motivation when acting characters? how you prepare for them?

Acting is a very emotional thing, therefore you approach it from the perspective of the character... What is it that I'm playing? Or what is it that I'm trying to represent here? What's his motivation? I place alot of attention to that regarding the roles I play, Who are they? What is their motivation? What are their weakenesses? What's their passion? Of course as well as this, Who's filming it? Who's producing it? The strength of the script, and what it's trying to tell...
Foremostly, what story is it trying to tell? These are all general aspects you look at. But they'll be one core thing and that can change. It could be the Director for example while Sometimes the role changes . Sometimes the job itself, the production itself...I don't know.

Q5) Tell us about short films?

Regarding short film, I can say this that Short film is not something that exists too much in my life but...I can say this to our friends who film 'Short Flim',One of the fundamental aspects of this job is Directing actors based on my own career experience, that's all I can say.
To be a good director, to film a good story on a base level relies on the relationship you form with your actors Or the direction given to actors. Its for that reason by watching good actors' performances they can secure something.Because this is a basic fact. No matter how good the script, or how accurately you portray the story, if your actors don't give good performances, you're film will be limited in its successIt's for that reason, they need to solve the situation.

Q6) How can the Directors solve this problem in your opinion, also those who work with amatuer actors?

How can they do this...? Whether it's within the training that they provide...maybe the education and the development of the actors maybe assistance could be asked for, from established actors from their acting coaches. For me personally, the one thing I can say to our friends who work in short film is regarding the direction for actors.
Daily we see the acting profession changing...even in short film. Because in short film you generally work with amateur actors and when you're working with this many amateur actors you need a different direction (or approach). This can take you to an entirely different place. For example if we were to watch an established Directors first films, you'll still see good direction given to actors...Personally, that's all I can say.

I must say he is not only a good actor , he is well behaved human too :) he has good and much down to earth attitude and this thing is what that no one can deny either of Kivo fan (that i myself is) or any other celebrity fan. He is the only actor who is the real king of his fans heart and none of his fan can ever change his/her emotions for him.

 Click here to watch the whole interview with english subtitles

EAFP

Go greEn.....

"Emerald, Lively. Radiant. Lush… A color of elegance and beauty that enhances our sense of well-being, balance and harmony."The colour of the year 2013 spring/summer has been declared Emerald by pantone. Emerald is a shade of green, particularly light , bright, and refreshing with a faint bluish cast. The name comes from the color of the gemstone emerald. Green is found most abundantly in nature. And Undoubtedly, Emerald is one of the most predominant colours in fashion. It is suitable for every occurrence – it gives a marvelous pleasing to the eye , A colour which can be worn by anyone regardless of hair or skin tone.The most magical, refined and elegant shade of emerald give everybody a fashionista’s look.
Green grabs attention ,give yourself a head to toe Emerald green look to stand out in crowd, lively and gorgeous, emerald green skirt or long maxi with sparkling emerald earings emerald coloured high heels.. ofcourse a perfect look!

MIX IT UP :

Emerald look fantastic with many other colours. Purple, red and orange in combination gives the most funky impressive look. with black, white, brown, camel, beige, grey, nude tones, as well as with burgundy, eclectic blue, bright yellow, and soft blue in combination emerald gives a pretty look.

Emeral green in Accessories: