YUSUF Islam

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Tuesday 24th May

Moroccan Night

I was deeply worried just before showtime, there were only a couple of thousand who were loosely breezing around the large festival field in the middle of Rabat. This was the famous Mawazine Music festival. For years they had tried to woo me to perform here, now it seemed the time had come. But just before the show was about to start, my son Muhammad came back with another photo of the scene out front; my sweat soon evaporated. Over the last fifteen minutes, the place was sprawling, filled with waves of people all whistling and shouting for the concert to begin. The sun had set and I walked on stage.

The event was truly colossal. I’ve never heard so many people singing Father & Son as loud and as confidently as this before, must be something to do with the fact that the lyrics were taught widely in many schools in Morocco as part of the English syllabus. Well, no one was disappointed, least of all me. The crowd were spectacularly warm. My only regret is that in all the excitement, I forgot to sing Tala’al Badru Alayna. and all I can say is thank you, peace be with you – salams – for a wonderful Moroccan night of love and peace.

Yusuf
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Comments
1. salamo alaykom brother yusuf, I'm a one of your fans all over the world, i have discovered your songs and becoming addicted to your lyrics and composition...when i have read your biography i have found many things similar between us, before discovering your songs i have changed my name from salma to SalomÃ© la pacifiste :D and i pried god to give me power and courage ...at this time i have found your songs and you are becaming now my exemple ....peace be with you Yusuf with all my respect and love SalomÃ© the pacifist from Morocco.
  02 Jun 2011 SALMA Report Comment
2. Assalaam alaikum Brother Yusuf, I was at your Moroccan concert with my family. We used to live near you in north London and my children went to the Islamia schools. Funny we end up seeing you in concert in Rabat where we are now living! It was a wonderful concert, we loved it. We miss all our friends at Islamia so much. May Allah bless you for founding those wonderful schools. Oh and I taught the lyrics of â€œWhere do the Children Play?â€ for teaching practice here in Morocco. It was a fun lesson and my students enjoyed it!. Wa Salaam alaikum Ruth
  30 May 2011 Ruth butler Report Comment
3. Dear Brother Yusuf, Salam! I was in Morocco with other Americans for work, but were very happily surprised to see this festival happening in Rabat. Most especially your performance. Despite being extremely tired as we arrived just that morning and hadn't slept yet for 2 days, we came out that evening, and it was an excellent performance! It made our trip! I'm only sorry I didn't get to see you in the hotel like some others and say salam and speak some, how nice would it have been to be able to meet you (and maybe do salat together!). Your music is very decent and I want to thank you for that. More than the music, I would say that I was first impressed with you when I heard about you in college back in the 90's and how you left all the fame and money for the sake of Allah, that takes a principled person. I pray Allah blesses your efforts and causes you to continue to move closer to Himself. I'm very sorry for what has happened in the past in the U.S., but I really hope you can come to the U.S. one day soon, you have many more friends and fans than you may realize. Again, may Allah bless you. ws, Jalal
  30 May 2011 Jalal Report Comment
4. Ø§Ù„Ø³Ù„Ø§Ù… Ø¹Ù„ÙŠÙƒ I'm very pleased Your presence in Morocco You are a great man and very, very popular in Morocco . I ask God for you safety and success
  30 May 2011 karima Report Comment
5. The white robe Yusuf is wearing looks amazing. I am assuming it has some symbolic significance. Could anyone tell me anything more? Thanks Marion
  
  Webmaster's Reply: No big symbolism here, it's a classically traditional robe worn in Morrocco.
  29 May 2011 Marion Yates Report Comment
6. Yusuf it must have been a lovely night for you and your family that you were so welcome and everyone enjoyed your music.Now the last concerts are starting tonight in Paris . I only can hope you have also a warm welcome in our little Belgium.Me and my friends are looking forward to next thursday you are very welcome with your family.Peace Regine (flemmish fan)
  26 May 2011 Regine Masson Report Comment
7. Dear Yusuf, I am happy and proud that you appreciated your moroccan night of peace and love. You certainly realized how much the moroccan people love you and respects you enormously. I also regret that you did not sing Tala al Badru Alayna to enclose your wonderful concert, but you may do it during Â« the world sacred music festival "who takes place in "Fes" every year at the beginning of June.It would also be the opportunity to sing all your anachids and amdah anabawiya. Shukran dear Yusuf for this wonderful night of symbiosis, peace and love, we shall never forget it, it will remain engraved in our hearts. We love you Yusuf and we wish to see again you more often in Morocco Salam alaykum wa rahmatou Allah wa barakatouh
  26 May 2011 Jamal Report Comment
8. Je viens juste de dÃ©couvrir Yusuf, (vaut mieux tard que jamais).. Je suis fan! Translation: I just found Yusuf (better late than never) .. I am a fan
  25 May 2011 ABDELILAH Report Comment
9. salamou alaykom i hope you are ok my good brother yusuf, well, i was waiting for u to come to morocco, for a long time, unfortunatly , I could'nt make it , i could'nt be there ,i was , i am very disspointed , but alhamdolillah I am very happy that u had a great time, inchallah, you'will sing tala'a albardu 'alyna, the next time, i hope that you will come again and again, you don't need any invitation, morocco is your home too jazakallah kol khayr brother yusuf, for everything you are doing for our oumma, only allah can reward for this fi amane allah
  25 May 2011 muslima Report Comment
10. thank you mr YUSUF to come in morocco !! I spend an exellent time with you !! So continue to sing and to fight for peace and freedom to built a new earth ! I LOVE YOUR PERSONNALITY AND WHAT YOU ARE !! RESPECT MISTER AND HOPE TO SEE YOU ENOUGH !! Proud to have muslim like you on the earth !! ( sorry for my bad english ) xoxo Mehdi ! rabat
  25 May 2011 Mehdi Report Comment
11. It wasn't possible to keep my fingers off the mouse button til they ordered a ticket for Mannheim :-) I'm looking forward to seeing you again.
  25 May 2011 Iris Block Report Comment
12. Salam Yusuf, It was just ... Amazing!!! Looked like an Angel with your Djellaba Assalamo Alaykom
  25 May 2011 Jamila Report Comment
13. Great audience in Morocco via Youtube! We are so pleased to see you happy in your personal life and on the stage. It is electrifying to watch!
  25 May 2011 Hyacinth Burt Report Comment
14. Assalamu Alaykum Br Yusuf, I'm so sorry I missed your amazing event in my home town Rabat, but my little brother Youssef had honor and privilege to be there and witness the magical moments alive! I'm stuck here in the San Francisco bay area recovering from my surgery. So I hope you make it here to California soon. I have not seen you since I was last in Dubai (Eid ul Fitr 2009) so I hope you're doing fine. May God give you the strength for the remainder of the EU tour and bring His Peace & Blessings on you, Amen. Wassalam, Ali
  24 May 2011 Ali Bouhouch Report Comment
15. Dear Yusuf, it looked and sounded like sheer bliss-what it must have been like to be there!!! In this whole tour you have moved people, spoken to their hearts. I can't wait to see you in Mannheim. Peace! Doris
  24 May 2011 Peritura Report Comment
16. Dear Yusuf Islam, This is hasnaa from Vancouver. I just want to tell you that I was in tears just watching TV as you were singing your wonderful songs in Mawazine festival. I wished I had been in my home country to attend your concert. I recalled so many sweet memories. And yes the your legend "Father and Son" was taught to us in High school. Yusuf Islam you are the best being a singer with a noble mission, being a philantropist and being highly educated and cultivated. We love you so much. Come on come on to the peace train...:-) Thinking about the world as it is Why must we go on hating? Why can't we live in bliss? Peace and love...
  24 May 2011 hasnaa ladhem Report Comment
17. LEGENDARY! I saw some parts of the Morroccan Night on You Tube and just watching the videos give me the creeps. I havenÂ´t seen you so exited and happy at the same time. The crowd is a sea of love. :) So much magic! On nights like that everybody in the crowd feels this kind of love and peace and knows the truth. Not only by the reason, but by the heart. Thank you for your music for your art, but most of all for your heart and your universal love.
  24 May 2011 Cassarah Report Comment
18. I attended the concert Mawazine it was fantastic I really liked but I regret that you did not sing an arabic song I hope you come next year
  24 May 2011 kido Report Comment
19. Yusuf, if you`re happy, i am happy. Thank you for sharing your life and your wisdom with us. Wishing you Peace, Love & Joy.
  24 May 2011 hilal Report Comment
20. assalamou alaykoum. i am most honored to post a comment about this wonderfull evening you gave us. you know brother yusuf, ( even tought you're my father's age but my brother muslim ) , every one liked it when you wore the djellaba. my fiancÃ© next to me even told me when she saw you like this and with the beard you where looking like an angel . all that to say just one thing : thank you and pleaaaaassseeee come back soon. peace be upon you
  24 May 2011 faycal rifki Report Comment
21. Hi Yusuf, It was such a good idea to put this here for us. I was wondering how you had got on. Was it very hot, I wonder? What were the crowd estimated at, eventually? I am sure they were delighted to see you at last. I hope you, and Alun, and the rest of the band really enjoyed the festival. Also, I hope you all get a rest before the remainder of the European tour.PEACE, and LOVExx
  24 May 2011 Cynthia Report Comment
22. After reading your message, and looking at the videos, it truly was a great night!!! Very happy for you, the band, and your family. It was a night not to forget, and one that will hopefully bring you back to Morroco in the near future.
  24 May 2011 downunder-72 Report Comment
23. Peace to you Yusuf, re..Mawazine What an incredible experience that clearly was for you and for everyone!!...and even for me just seeing it all second hand on vids etc...SUCH a very special timeless moment!!Difficult to find the words isn't it? Can't even imagine how it must have been for you!! Your connection to people and your message took on a new and different edge in Morocco...wish I could have been there not least to see you in your non-provocative white robe!... Joking aside ,I congratulate you on your acceptance of your God sent ability ,to connect with all and seemingly disparate peoples...I was at your Berlin concert and I can truly movingly say that even though we did not hear it..and we were not all physically in Rabat....... O' the white moon (truly) rose over ALL of US... Thank you for taking the time to write a message..much appreciated..you are cherished by many,just one of them,Sabina x
  24 May 2011 sabina tzikas Report Comment
24. Pure joy to watch the videos on youtube this morning! What a wonderful night for everybody. Well done, my friend. Mannheim will be a bit less colossal. But it's nearly sold out this time - we'll be there to enjoy your concert one more time!! Safe journey and a great time in Paris. Peace & Happiness
  24 May 2011 Gabi M. (G-One) Report Comment
25. Salam mr Yusuf. First of all, i would like to say that we love you and we thank you for all what you have given. But do you know that while you are singing in Mawazine, moroccan people is suffering from the violence of the moroccan security forces in almost all the street of Morocco fom the south of the country to the north. Please watch these videos: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Lq5W4NhmKg&feature=player_embedded http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GOr8x7-qc-8&feature=player_embedded http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4RbpgyxddVk&feature=player_embedded Thank you Aicha
  24 May 2011 Aicha Report Comment
26. Sounds like a magical night wish I was there...
  24 May 2011 Catherine Freestone Report Comment
27. Dear Yusuf, I am really happy for you, because you deserved that "spectacularly warm crowd" in Morocco :-) Peace! Barney (crobarbie on Majicat)
  24 May 2011 Nenad Bartolcic Report Comment
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