Sami Yusuf to Arabstoday: My songs celebrate the Arab Spring

Singer Sami Yusuf has said that his new album is a surprise, and most songs will be in Arabic. "It is dedicated to the Arab world in celebration of the Arab Spring revolutions," he told Arabstoday. Yusuf described how he visited Cairo to take part in a campaign to raise funds for famine victims in Africa. The campaign kicked off in Dubai where he sang the song “The Forgotten Promises”, a record he delivered to "all the people of the world who have forgotten their duties towards their brethren in other countries, especially the people of Somalia who have been suffering from drought and famine for many years." Yusuf is participating in a door-to-door campaign and will travel to many countries "to remind the world of its promises." Speaking of the famines around the world and how international artists can spread the message, Yusuf lauded US actress Angelina Jolie for "drawing attention to the issue, but I wish that more international artists would take advantage of their fame to help save the children who die everyday of hunger and poverty”. Moving on to music, Yusuf described his tastes in Egyptian music, naming Egyptian bands such as Wust el-Balad, Cairokee, Massar Egbari and the singer Hamza Namira as his favourites. While he loves charity work, he claims to be less enamoured with politics saying: “I hate politics and love charity work, so I’m continuing with my charitable work as it has nothing to do with politics" adding that his current project was sponsored by the United Nations. He emphasied that he would not take up a governmental position as he loved his work as a singer and artist, and he felt that if he threw himself into his work, it would reinforce his message of peace and love among human beings. With regards to the current situation in Egypt, Yusuf said: “I am here for Egypt. I adore Egypt. I visited Tahrir Square (in Cairo) on the day the former president stepped down, and I wonder after one year of the revolution: Where are the young people? Why are they not participating in governance and decision making? Why is Egypt being ruled by people who are reaching retirement age? The youth in Egypt have the determination that they can succeed, and they have the right to continue on their path.” He expressed his admiration for the Egyptian revolution and offered advice to the young revolutionaries: “I advise young people to be patient. It's just one year after the revolution and revolutions the world over need many years to overcome corruption and become a democracy”. Speaking about the Islamists who have gained prominence in Egypt he was of the opinion that as long as the Islamists were "chosen by the people, then this is democracy for which many young people have been martyred, but I personally do not like the interference of religion in politics, as religion should be pure." He added that the youth must also respect the will of the people even if it was against their wishes. In a message to Egypt's youth he said: "You must unite your goals. Do not allow anyone to draw you apart, as your strength is in your unity”.