Transcribed by Sundus Awan

MY Voice: Thanks for speaking with us. So first of all tell us a little about yourself. You have become an overnight sensation. A couple of months ago nobody really knew about you. So, where did this talent emerge from?
Maher Zain: My name is Maher Zain and I am originally from Lebanon. I moved to Sweden when I was young. My dad used to be a singer so I got the musical inspiration from him. I started it just like a hobby and my dad saw that I had interest in music so he bought me a keyboard and I started playing a little bit - it was just for fun. Then one day I was introduced to a producer, Redmond, who works in the mainstream industry. Then, Alhamdulillah, Allah guided me and I chose to leave the music scene but then I thought, why not spread something good in the music business with the experience that I have? That’s what made me do it.

MY Voice: What was the motivation behind leaving your music? What compelled you to walk away?
Maher Zain: It was everything surrounding the music. We all know how it is in the mainstream media. There's a lot of 'fakeness', a lot of alcohol, fitnah, fasaad and all that. When I started practicing, it was like if I didn't do it, I would be denying something. So, that’s why I felt I had two choices: either I go back to New York and work or stay there and take care of my brother and teach him - take him to the mosque to pray and study the Quran. It was obvious for me which way I should choose. At that time I just wanted to leave the music business but then I started thinking, I can share my feelings, I can explain what happened to me and maybe I can reach people in similar circumstances. So, that’s what made me want to return.

MY Voice: Were there any external influences involved when you decided to come back? Did your friends or family persuade you or was it a personal decision?
Maher Zain: Two years ago I was asked by the mosque to perform at a conference. They heard that I sing, so they asked me if I wanted to join. I said, 'of course'. I did music for 'ya taiba' and we sang it. There was a good response. This inspired me even more. At the same time, I believe I was meant to do something like this, Alhamdulillah.

MY Voice: So, while you were going up, what was sort of impact did music have on your life? What do you believe the influence of music on Muslim youth is? Do you think the overall influence of music is something positive or negative?
Maher Zain: I think it depends on the content. For example, if we listen to mainstream songs, they make us think that it’s all about love - it’s just empty. As for me, I want to do something meaningful. When I contacted the company Awakening, I told them that I don’t want to do only songs which people can enjoy, I want to have a message. It’s very important that I have a message. Alhamdulillah, if you listen to our album, we have a good message in almost every song. So, like I said, music is about the content.

MY Voice: In your music, do you have an aim of bringing about a certain change because some people sing for political change, some sing for social change, some sing to bring people closer to Islam. Do you have a certain aim?
Maher Zain: I think my music, if you listen to it, you can see that it can reach most of the people and what I’m trying to do is to spread the message of Islam and humanity, showing that we all share the same world. I want people to reflect and think, because especially for Muslims like myself, who maybe didn’t grow up in an Islamic environment, I want them to feel strong in their Muslim identity so that they may start practicing and feel the love of Islam. So, the message is to give out the right feeling about Islam. Of course, I can’t do all that with my music but, as much as I can -- I try to highlight things in my life, things in Islam, things happening in Palestine and in other countries etc...

MY Voice: Do you have any advice for youth that listen to music (in terms of what kind of music they should listen to) or to youth that are aspiring artists? What advice would you give them?
Maher Zain: I think it's important to choose good friends. It’s really important to surround yourself with good friends. Listen to your parents because when we grow up, we think we know better than them. We have to listen to them because they know more. If you can’t find good music, why not buy my album?

MY Voice: Speaking about your album, tell us a little bit about your new album and where people can go to find it.
Maher Zain: My new album is called “Thank you Allah’ which was released on October 13, 2009 and it can be bought on iTunes, Amazon, at Awakening.org. You can visit my facebook www.facebook.com/maherzain and you can get all the information there.

MY Voice: So, are you accepting friends on facebook?
Maher Zain: Yes, as much as I can.