Biography
Who is Sami Yusuf?
Early life and education
Sami Yusuf was born on July 21, 1980, in Tehran to parents of Azerbaijani descent. His grandparents moved from Baku to Iran after the Bolsheviks took control of the region following World War I. In the early 1980s, his family moved to Ealing, which is located in West London.
During his youth in London, he developed a deep interest in various musical styles, specifically Middle Eastern music and Western classical traditions. He mastered several instruments, including the violin and piano, along with traditional tools like the tar, tonbak, and oud. He later pursued formal music studies as a composition student at Salford University and the Royal Academy.
Music career and albums
The professional career of Sami Yusuf began in 2003 with the release of his first album, Al-Muʽallim. This debut was a major success, particularly in South-East Asia, Turkey, and North Africa. The track Supplication from this record was featured in the film The Kite Runner. Following this, his 2005 album My Ummah reached over four million global sales.
He has since released several other projects, including the 2010 album Wherever You Are and the 2012 release Salaam. His work often features a blend of Rock, folk, and Sufi elements. He has recorded eight studio albums and five live albums to date. His seventh studio album, Barakah, was released in February 2016 through Andante Records.
Humanitarian work and honors
Sami Yusuf has used his platform to support various social and humanitarian causes. In 2010, he released the charity single Hear Your Call to assist those affected by the Pakistan floods. This project was a collaboration with the charity Save the Children. In 2014, the United Nations appointed him as a Global Ambassador for the World Food Programme.
His contributions to the arts and society have earned him several distinctions. He received an honorary diploma from the President of Azerbaijan Republic and an honorary Doctor of Letters from Roehampton University in 2009. He has also been included in the list of the World's 500 Most Influential Muslims every year since 2010.
Birthday and age
Sami Yusuf was born on July 21, 1980, which makes Sami 46 years old today. That birthday falls under the Cancer sign. Sami shares the date with 57 other famous people.
Explore more
