Zain Bhikha, South Africa’s number one Islamic singer/songwriter has just released his seventh album entitled ‘Hope.’

Having toured every continent with his songs, Zain - one of the top Nasheed (Islamic devotional song) artists in the world - believes in inspiring those around him through his Nasheeds and Art of Creative Expression (ACE) workshops. The local singer first attracted global fans with his album, ‘Faith’ in 2001 singing about pressing personal, social and spiritual issues.

“This album has been a work-in-progress for about three years. It is a very personal one that I think many, if not all South Africans, will be able to relate to and I am sure that Hope will be welcomed into the South African market,” says Zain.

He is known to be the voice of local concerns with universal value, and sees his music transcending all boundaries and barriers. Zain was one of two South Africans featured in the book, ‘Top 500 Most Influential Muslims’ – the other being cricketer Hashim Amla. He represented South Africa at a Peace conference held in Sydney last year, and was also invited by the Royal Family of Dubai as part of a contingent of Islamic academics and artists working for peace.

The album is a contemporary, urban mix with a strong resonance of African culture throughout. The array of songs addresses various issues of humanity, all falling under the banner of ‘Hope.’ Zain works with some impressive local and international talent, including his eighteen-year-old son Rashid. Other artists include American rapper Khalil Ismail, Fadi Tolbi of the Middle East and Canadian-born Dawud Wharnsby.

Songs include a remake of Michael Jackson’s ‘Heal the World,’ with a South African twist, which was recently shot in Soweto. In the same theme of hope and healing is the song ‘Guantanamo Bay.’ Fans will be pleased that the album contains a re-release of his popular World Cup song; ‘First we need the Love,’ a duet with Rashid, which garnered thousands of supporters worldwide. Included is a tribute to women, ‘The Woman I love,’ which speaks to three different roles in a woman’s life: daughter, mother and wife.

Find Zain Bhikha on Facebook (www.facebook.com/ZainBhikhaOfficial), follow him on Twitter (@ZainBhikha) and watch his videos on YouTube (www.youtube.com/ZainBhikhaStudios). Visit www.zainbhikha.com.

• ‘Hope’ is available at the Al-Ansaar Bookshop (tel. +27 31 208 1601) - 189 West Road, Overport Durban.