Visit www.nasheeds.com to purchase SHAAM products
SHAAM
came together in late 1997 seeking to present and re-interpret
traditional Islamic songs known as nasheeds - a genre that originates
from the time of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah
be upon him).
These
spiritually uplifting songs seek to praise Allah and His final
Messenger. They are distinguished by their emphasis upon vocals
and percussion only, with stringed and wind instruments being
shunned in deference to orthodox Islamic precepts. It is this
style of song that SHAAM have mastered over the past few years.
The
group, composed of Haroon Bashir, Mahmood Norris, Yasin Alam
and Imran Bashir - all young men from Birmingham, England -
took their name from the place that had inspired them: Syria
(in Arabic, Shaam). All had at some stage or another studied
and visited Damascus and there had come into contact with groups
who would sing timeless nasheeds with moving lyrics, accompanied
by the rousing and intricate beating of the duff, a traditional
one-sided hand drum. Though having been taught this art by some
of the best teachers, alongside studies in more formal Islamic
subjects, the idea of forming their own group was not an obvious
one. It was only the encouragement of learned people, family
and friends, who, impressed at their grasp of this unique, mainly
Arabic art by non-Arabs, pushed them to sing live. So what started
out as a tentative foursome gradually evolved into a confident,
polished quartet. It was therefore no surprise to see, in a
short period of time, how popular SHAAM became as a live act
touring around the British Isles performing at weddings, celebrations
and events.
Presenting
themselves as heirs of this unique, ancient Islamic art, SHAAM
have sought to make nasheeds accessible to young and old, and,
mindful of the fact that the majority of their audiences do
not understand Arabic, have added Urdu and English nasheeds
to their large repertoire of songs. Their stirring renditions,
coupled with exquisite drumming, have led to invitations to
perform in countries as far afield as the USA, Syria and Pakistan.
It is no exaggeration to say hundreds of thousands have witnessed
the mastery of SHAAM live and the group considers itself fortunate
to count the likes of Prince Charles amongst its many admirers.
Despite
hundreds of performances and many albums, SHAAM's passion for
their art remains as strong as ever as they strive to make Islamic
devotional songs widely accessible in a variety of languages
and styles, some old and some new. Yet all the while they are
aware that they are carriers of weighty words with yet weightier
meaning.
Nasheeds that remind and above all else bear witness to the
majesty of Allah Most High and the culmination of His religion,
Islam, through the last and greatest of his Messengers, the
Seal of the Prophets, Muhammad, may the peace and blessings
of Allah be upon him.
www.shaamgroup.com
Albums by SHAAM:
Mercy Like The Rain - Buy Album Here
Spring Has Come - Buy Album Here
SHAAM In Concert - Buy Album Here
Mawlid At Abbey Road - Buy Album Here
SHAAM The Early Years (Out Now!!!)
Celebrate Life (Coming Soon!)
