Abu Ratib

Mohamed Mustapha Ali Masfaka (born 1962), better known as Abu Ratib (أبو راتب), is a Syrian-born Nasheed singer of Islamic and Arabic music based on classical Arab poetry.

Abu Ratib
أبو راتب
Birth nameMohamed Mustapha Ali Masfaka
Born1962 (age 57–58)
Aleppo, Syria
OriginMichigan, United States
Amman, Jordan
Genres
Occupation(s)Singer
Instruments
Years active1981–present
Associated actsAl-Huda International Art Productions

Early life

Masfaka was born in Aleppo, Syria. From an early age, he was immersed in musical traditions of the Arab world.[1] At a young age, he joined the Arab Music Institute in Aleppo, Syria where he studied musical notation (Solfège) and learned to play the violin.[2]

Masfaka studied broadcasting and television direction in Amman, Jordan, and obtained experience in the broadcasting engineering.[3]

Career

As Masfaka balanced music with a growing interest in Islam, his work moved in a spiritual direction.[1] He joined the band of the singer Abi Dujanah for religious singing, until he founded Al-Huda band in 1981 and began issuing the albums of Islamic singing. In 1986, Al-Huda band developed to found Al-Huda Islamic Art. In 1991, he founded Al-Huda International Art Production.[3]

Masfaka is an active member of the Arabic arts community and is involved in numerous organizations to promote Islamic music and artist development worldwide. He has traveled over the U.S and abroad as a featured artist at community events in mosques and on college campuses.[1]

He is a member of Michigan-based Crescent Academy International, and aims to overcome negative impressions of Islam through his works such as a play about the Islam featuring the Islamic prophet Muhammad which attracted a large non-Muslim audience.[2] He is also head of the World Islamic Art League.[3]

Masfaka has often sung in support of human rights for the occupied Palestinian people.[4][5]

Awards

In 2006, Masfaka was awarded the World Youth Prize for Islamic Work in the field of Inshad (religious singing).[2]

Personal life

Masfaka is married to Batoul Qaweqji and has five daughters, Ayah, Nour, Sana, Hiba, and Sama Masfaka.

See also

References
  1. Islamic Beliefs, Practices, and Cultures (Muslim World). Marshall Cavendish Corporation. 2010. p. 272. ISBN 978-0761479260. abu ratib.
  2. "Artists". Global Peace & Unity Event 2008. 2008. Archived from the original on 2013-02-04. Retrieved August 31, 2011. Abu Ratib
  3. "Biography of the munshid Abu Ratib". ãæÞÚ ÃÈæÑÇÊÈ. 2004. Retrieved August 31, 2011.
  4. "Abu Ratib Regains Freedom". Muslim Legal Fund of America. December 15, 2010. Retrieved July 19, 2017.
  5. "Islamic singer Abu Ratib agrees to remain jailed in Michigan". Michigan: MLive.com. January 29, 2010. Retrieved December 1, 2014.


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