CAIRO: International singer Sami Yusuf arrived in Egypt after Hosni Mubarak was ousted. He stayed in Egypt after the January 25 Revolution because he believes in charity roles and activities to provide help for children with cancer. Yusuf will launch his new album on the banks of Nile River amid a democratic atmosphere to send the world a message of Egypt's safety and welcoming art, charity and tourism activities. Youm7 was the first Egyptian newspaper to interview Sami Yusuf when he returned to Egypt. When you launched your first album, were you worried you were going to be known as an Islamic singer? No, never, I was a young man doing a new or different thing. Back then, I had certain feelings I wished to express to people. So I'm proud of my first album but I developed. I'm spiritual singer who sings spiritual songs and it's what I've been working with for a long time. Do you think that your songs could unify people amid the calls of classifying believers from disbelievers? Sure I do so and when you listen to my new album, you will hear songs that are not revolutionary but more mature. I seek to gather people with and for good things. Everyone is part of this universe, in which I believe in. To unify people is my hobby as artist and as a human and no one can take it away from me. Are you content as a religious singer? My first album is classified and advertised in an inappropriate way that drove people to recognize me as a religious singer; I'm not interested in just one side of life. When I remember how I began, I regret it but it was out of my control. I remember some people were telling me I have to work with veiled women, but I refused because one must not monopoly Allah, since Allah is for everyone and not only for veiled women. This is the ideology of people who misunderstand Islam and I'm not one of them. How did you follow up the incidents and events of the January 25 Revolution? I was at home watching the Al-Jazeera news almost 24 hours every day. Although I do not like to intervene in political affairs, I posted on Twitter and Facebook certain words to increase awareness on what was going on in Egypt, in which I lived for four years. Egypt is my second home. The revolution is not a religious one a revolution with a certain ideology but it is a people's revolution, for better future and life. Why did you choose Egypt to hold your concert after the revolution? When Mubarak stepped down, I returned to Egypt on the same day three years ago. I came back as a humble man, not an artist, to participate in this historical moment. When I came back, I found Egyptians cleaning up the streets, interacting with the police and organizing traffic movements. There was a good feeling of patriotism. What a nice feeling to celebrate unity among people regardless of religion or charitable deeds! How did you feel when you visited Tahrir Square after Mubarak's ousting? I was laughing. Many Egyptians gathered around me so I felt home, we were one family. The most beautiful thing about this revolution is it started without a leader. All citizens were leaders. What do you think of the political atmosphere in Egypt after the revolution? Egypt is full of love and positive will but there is no confidence among the citizens, especially after revolution. It's normal since after any revolution there is kind of doubt. I'm happy to be in Egypt right now and to participate through my very small role to bring people together. What kind of support do you give to the ‘Friends of the Children' Cancer society? I support the society by dedicating a song for the children called ‘Healing' which could help them to heal them even through a smile. I also called for Al-Waqf in Islam, an inalienable religious endowment in Islamic law, typically donating a building or plot of land for Muslim religious or charitable purposes. I will donate the profit of my Saturday concert to the Cancer society. Will you continue this activity when you come back to Britain? Sure, I'm the ambassador of non-profit association of ‘Selatik' and of the ‘Save the children' association.
