Sami Yusuf

Sami Yusuf (born July 1980) is a British singer of Azerbaijani descent. His first album, Al-Mu'allim, was released in July 2003 and attained huge success. His second album, My Ummah, which was released in 2005, comes in two versions, a musical version and one with just percussion. Yusuf's music comprises mostly of songs about social, humanitarian and issues to do with being a Muslim. At present he is fast becoming a very popular figure in the Muslim world, with his harmonic voice and inspiring lyrics.

Nevertheless he has also sparked controversy due to the nature of his shows which conservative critics claim have more in common with western pop concerts than Islamic spiritual values he claims to espouse.[1] However he has published a rebuttal to these claims on his website.[2]

His international status has taken a clear enhancement on the second album with the participation of the hugely successful genre-defining trio of Outlandish on the track "Try Not to Cry".