Dubai: The popular Arabic language singer Sami Yousuf released a new single on Thursday called Hear Your Call, in support of the victims of the floods in Pakistan, after being disappointed by the international response to the crisis.
Yousuf told Gulf News he hopes the single will raise millions for the children of Pakistan. "So far the response [to the crisis] has been terrible," he said.
"This is a very sensitive period in history. History is going to look back at this as a dark period or as a time of solidarity, brotherhood and sisterhood."
"For the past couple of years, certain media in the West have deliberately or probably unintentionally succeeded in painting Pakistan's image as the Taliban," said Yousuf. "Pakistan is not Taliban."
All profits from the single will go to ‘Save the Children', an independent children's charity.
The singer said it's during times of vulnerability that extremists have the most effect. "They go and give money and when you're impoverished you don't care who your helper is."
Yousuf, who currently lives in the UAE, has sold over seven million albums worldwide. He is urging his fans at home and abroad to raise awareness of the plight of the people who are affected by the floods. He said that while it's important to raise donations, there's also a qualitative aspect, which is raising awareness. "This is a collective effort," he said.
So far, it's been reported that more than 1,600 people have died and over 20 million are affected by the floods, of which 9 million are children.
Sadia Bundgaard, Save the Children's Country Director said the number is expected to rise further. Concerns have been raised that the affected population will be at risk of deadly water-borne diseases such as diarrhoea, dysentery and typhoid.
"In many areas where the floods have hit, this is not the first time that the children have had their lives disrupted. We must all come together and ensure that these children receive basic care and protection," Bundgaard said.
Save the Children is currently working in 17 districts in all four provinces of Pakistan that have been severely hit by the floods. The agency has been able to help over 300,000 people, so far.
When asked if Yousuf would look into organising a concert for the same cause he said that his main focus is to raise awareness and funds. "To be honest, I'm putting all my energy into this single right now," he said.
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Hear Your Call can be downloaded now from iTunes and Yousuf's website(www.samiyusufofficial.com). It is also available at all Virgin Megastores in the UAE.
