We are delighted to announce an exciting partnership between SHUKR and the internationally recognized nasheed artist, Zain Bhikha. SHUKR is now Zain Bhikha’s official fashion stylist, providing his complete wardrobe of clothing that he will wear in all his public appearances. He will start wearing SHUKR clothing for his forthcoming UK tour at the end of May, organized by the Families Relief charity. You can read about the tour and book tickets via their website.

Zain Bhikha’s songs are unique in their emotionally uplifting messages and despite being an internationally famous artist, he does not profit at all from his efforts: everything is done solely for charity, masha’ Allah.

One of Zain Bhikha’a signature songs, which many people consider one of the greatest English nasheeds ever, is ‘Mountains of Mecca,’ inspired by his pilgrimage to Mecca in 2004. It is a powerful narrative of prophecy, told through the imaginary eyes of the mountains of this historic valley. You can hear it here:

One of our favorite songs from his current album, ‘1415, The Beginning,’ is an acapella version of ‘Zamilooni,’ a touching rendition of the Prophet Muhammad’s (Allah bless him and give him peace) relationship with Khadija (Allah be pleased with her), focusing on the key moment between them after the descent of the first revelation. Hear it here:

The following is a more in-depth background to Zain Bhikha:

Zain Bhikha is one of the most successful Islamic singers today and has inspired fans the world over with his messages of hope and upliftment. As a singer, songwriter and through creative workshops and television, Zain serves as an ambassador for promoting a positive picture of his faith whilst simultaneously delivering messages of unity amongst nations and global peace through his various projects.

From the time that Zain recorded his first album in 1994, his experience as an artist has grown tremendously, increasing his exposure in his country of birth, South Africa, as well as globally. Zain remains a pioneer in the ‘Nasheed’ genre of music, where, as one of the first English Islamic singers, he opened the door for many other artists. His albums have been launched in many countries including the United Kingdom, North America, Malaysia, France, Turkey, Holland, India, The Middle East, and Australia. He has performed live in cities across most continents and has become a household name when it comes to spiritual music.

Over and above his individual endeavors, Zain has also collaborated with a long list of artists such as Dawud Wharnsby, Native Deen, Outlandish, Sami Yusuf, Raihaan, Khalid Belhrouzhi, Ahmed Bukhatir, Imad Rami, Ziryab, Khalil Ismail and not forgetting his mentor, Yusuf Islam. His songs are mainly self-written, driven by emotion and the need to reassure people that turning and submitting to the Almighty is the hope mankind needs for the core of our everyday questions and confusion. Many of his songs represent different times in his life and the lessons he has learnt through personal experience. Zain’s songs provide young and old with an alternative to mainstream music, carrying messages of faith and remembrance of God. His music promotes spiritual contemplation and encourages people to be proud of their beliefs, who they are and to work towards a better world.

www.zainbhikha.com

www.facebook.com/zainbhikhaofficial

www.youtube.com/zainbhikhastudios

If you are in London and are interested in modest fashion, there will be a panel discussion at the University of the Arts London entitled, Modest Fashion: Faith-based Fashion and Internet Retail on Tuesday 25th May 2010 from 5:30 to 8: 45. Here is a description of the event:

To what extent has internet shopping become an important tool for those who want to combine fashion with faith? How is modesty defined in different faith communities? And how far are religious identities and appearances being re-shaped through the market?

These are just some of the questions that are arising in relation to increased participation in modest fashion. LCF Professor of Cultural Studies Reina Lewis and Dr Emma Tarlo, Reader in Anthropology at Goldsmiths, University of London, invite you to a special event to mark the launch of a new AHRC/ESRC- funded research project on modest fashion. With increasing numbers of women choosing to dress modestly due to their religious beliefs, a distinguished panel will discuss whether a new market is emerging for consumers from different faith groups. In addition, they will explore the potential impact for inter-faith dialogue of these shared dress practices among Muslim, Jewish, and Christian women.

Joining Reina and Emma in the consideration of these important questions will be LCF Visiting Professor Annelies Moors, Professor of contemporary Muslim societies at the department of anthropology and sociology, University of Amsterdam, and principal investigator of an international NORFACE research programme on ‘The emergence of Islamic fashion in Europe’, and Professor Niloofar Haeri, Professor of Anthropology at Johns Hopkins University, and author of Sacred Language, Ordinary People: Dilemmas of Culture and Politics, currently studying comparative concepts of modesty in Judaism, Christianity and Islam.

Following the discussion, there will be a reception to celebrate the release of Emma Tarlo’s book, Visibly Muslim: Fashion, Politics, Faith (Berg, 2010). We at SHUKR were honored to be mentioned in her book as part of her investigation of how fashion and faith interact for British Muslims. This exciting new book has already been given some excellent reviews (see below) and we highly recommend it.

“Beautifully written and compelling, Emma Tarlo’s new book finds a way to be fair-minded in the political minefield that surrounds the dress of visibly Muslim women in the UK. Animated by the nuanced detail of sartorial biographies and documenting changes in hijab fashion, Visibly Muslim provides a sophisticated examination of the dramatic increase in covered dressing and the reasons why it continues to matter so much to its practitioners and observers. This makes an essential read.”

–Reina Lewis, Professor of Cultural Studies, London College of Fashion. Author of Rethinking Orientalism: Women, Travel and the Ottoman Harem.

“Tarlo’s finely written analysis of Muslim women’s dress choices in Britain is sensitive, thoughtful and measured– a refreshing counterpoint to the two dimensional media coverage of the subject. She examines such choices from multiple angles: personal, aesthetic, social, religious and political, while making sure that we understand the dynamism inherent in decisions about dress.”

–Niloofar Haeri, Professor of Anthropology, John Hopkins University. Author of Sacred Language: Ordinary People, Dilemmas of Culture and Politics in Egypt

*** UPDATED! ***

We are delighted to announce that SHUKR has just opened its first Jordan boutique, in the new up-market Swefieh Avenue Mall. For our customers residing in Jordan and those passing through the country, this is a great opportunity to see and try on our clothes in person. Please note that international orders to Jordan via our website are now discontinued.

Here is the address:

2nd Floor

Swefieh Avenue Mall

Swefieh, Amman

+962-6-585-7202

Hours: Saturday to Thursday, 10am to 10pm; Friday, 4pm to 10pm.