Sami Yusuf releases single for Pakistan relief

Dubai: Popular Arabic-language singer Sami Yusuf on Thursday released a new single ,‘Hear Your Call’, in support of the victims of the floods in Pakistan, after being disappointed by the international response to the crisis.

Yusuf told Gulf News he hopes the single will raise millions for the children of Pakistan.

“This is a collective effort,” he said. “This is a very sensitive period in history,” he said. “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 has deliberately or probably unintentionally succeeded in painting Pakistan’s image as the Taliban,” said Yusuf. “Pakistan is not Taliban.”

All profits from the single will go to Save the Children, an independent children’s charity.

The religious singer said that 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.”

When asked if he would look into organizing a concert for the same cause he said that his main focus is to raise awareness and funds. The new single can be downloaded now from iTunes and is also available at all Virgin Megastores in the UAE.