Emir

Emir (/əˈmɪər, eɪˈmɪər, ˈeɪmɪər/; Arabic: أمير‎ ʾAmīr [ʔæˈmiːr]), sometimes transliterated (olowan, Datu in Meranau common version) Amir, Amier or Ameer, is an aristocratic or noble title of high office used in a variety of places in the Arab countries and Afghanistan. It means commander, general, or prince. The feminine form is Emira (أميرة ʾAmīrah). When translated as prince, the word "emirate" is analogous to a sovereign principality.

Origins

Amir, meaning "Lord" or "commander-in-chief", is derived from the Arabic root a-m-r, "command". Originally simply meaning commander-in-chief or leader, usually in reference to a group of people, it came to be used as a title for governors or rulers, usually in smaller states, and in modern Arabic is analogous to the English word "prince". The word entered English in 1593, from the French émir. It was one of the titles or names of the Islamic prophet Muhammad.

Princely, ministerial and noble titles

Maher Zain

Maher Zain (Arabic: ماهر زين‎ ; born 16 July 1981) is a Muslim Swedish R&B singer, songwriter and music producer of Lebanese origin. With more Facebook fans than any other Muslim artist, award-winning singer-songwriter Maher Zain is one of the biggest stars in modern Islamic music. He released his debut album Thank You Allah, an internationally successful album produced by Awakening Records, in 2009. He released his follow-up album Forgive Me in April 2012 under the same production company.

Career

Beginnings

Maher Zain's Lebanese family emigrated to Sweden when he was eight. He completed his schooling there, gaining a bachelor's degree in Aeronautical Engineering. After university, he entered the music industry in Sweden and linked up with RedOne, the Moroccan-born Swedish producer, in 2005. When RedOne moved to New York in 2006, Maher Zain followed soon after to continue his music industry career in the USA producing for artists such as Kat DeLuna.

On returning home to Sweden, he became engaged once more with his Islamic faith and decided to move away from a career as a music producer to become a singer/songwriter of contemporary R&B music with a strong Muslim religious influence.

Awakening Records

Awakening Records is a UK-based media production owned and operated by Awakening Worldwide. In 2003, it was created by four British and American entrepreneurs offering a wide range of products for a new modern faith-inspired and value driven music market. Awakening Records produce songs in both music and vocals-only formats in Arabic, English, Turkish, Malay, Bahasa, Hindi, Persian and Urdu. Besides Awakening Records, other divisions in Awakening management are Awakening Productions, Awakening Publications and Awakening Live.

Albums produced by Awakening Records

Artists

Philanthropy activities

In 2012, Awakening Records took part for the "Sound of Light" charity concerts. In 2013 and 2014, the record label took part in organising charity concerts in coordination with Islamic Relief, Human Appeal and other charity organisations around the world with the help of artists Maher Zain, Hamza Namira, Mesut Kurtis, Raef and Irfan Makki.