HOPE FOR HAITI

Sofia Baig, a twenty one year old Canadian spoken word artist of Pakistani, Chinese and Spanish descent uses her poetry to speak out against discrimination, prejudice, and her personal struggles. In just a few short years, Sofia has recited her poetry at the ISNA (Islamic Society of North America) Conference which was held in Chicago, at Toronto’s MuslimFest and she also took part in the Muslim HipHop tour, HipHop4Islam. Her album, “Daughter of the Sand”, is currently available on her website.

She has quickly become a local celebrity in her community. Sofia has also been interviewed by CNN and featured in various magazines for her pioneering style and poetry. Hope for Haiti is honored to present Sofia Baig in our artist line-up.

Halal Meat, is a nasheed band that formed at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada in 2005. The five members have been experimenting with a unique style of music in promoting peace and spirituality since then, and have gained a large following across the Greater Toronto Area and beyond. They have performed at Canada’s Wonderland and various major Islamic community events.

Kareem, Tristan, Mustafa, Mohamed, and Mohammad released their latest album, “Heart Like a Drum”, on October 3rd, 2009.

Nader Mohammed Khan is a Canadian Muslim singer & songwriter and the Programs Director of ReliefWorks. Nader has been singing all his life – from his birth in Hyderabad, India, to the many stops the caravan of his life took until he arrived in Canada in the early 90’s. Singing is a part of him and a passion. His album, “Take My Hand”, is currently available on his website and most local Islamic stores.

Nader lives in the east end of the of Toronto. He sings in English, Arabic, Urdu, and some Farsi. His first album was released in December 2008 in Toronto.

Jafar Alam first began writing poetry in 2003. Through the influence of two close friends, he was shown the world of Persian poetry and the works of Rumi, Hafez, Shabistari and Attar. He began performing spoken word poetry in 2007 and developed a passion for Urban poetry.

Jafar’s debut book of poetry is scheduled to be released in January 2010 and has a debut spoken word album to be released in September 2010. He has been an MC at the 2009 SpeakOut poetry competition indicating his love for and involvement in the spoken word community. Aside from poetry he teaches mixed martial arts to both adults and children. Jafar is an great rising-star in the art of spoken word and is proud to be a part of the Hope for Haiti concert series.

Amatullah Sara is a Singer and Song writer and a Sound Engineer by profession. Amatullah started singing at the age of 9 in her school’s choir, then eventually her passion for music grew as she was influenced by her father and brother who are also musicians by teaching her how to play the guitar and keyboards. For years Amatullah had writer’s block in her music and decided to take off into the journey of soul searching. As she moved to 5 different regions in the world in the past 10 years, she experimented with different lifestyles and music until she came to a realization that the only way she could be happy was when she’s connected to the ONE, ALLAH and show as much love to the dear beloved Prophet Muhammad (May Peace Be Upon Him) through her music.

With that came a boost of inspiration. She wants to reach out to people and hopefully make a difference using the talents that The Creator has given her. Amatullah Sara has performed at various universities across the United States and has started a new musical journey in Toronto.

Mohammad Ali is a Toronto Hip Hop artist and socialist anti-war activist working with the Toronto Coalition to Stop the War, The Toronto Haiti Action Committee and the War Resisters Support Campaign. His music is a product of grassroots political activism but by no means limited by it. Mohammad has dropped rhymes over everything from Hip Hop beats to Jazz, Folk, Blues, Reggaeton, Drum & Bass and Salsa.

In May 2007, he and others in the Canada Haiti Action Network released an urban compilation album featuring some of Canada’s top hip hop artists www.canadahaitiaction.ca. The CD was a fundraiser for S.O.S., a Haitian-based citizens’ organization. He released his first solo CD, a benefit to raise funds and awareness for U.S. soldiers seeking refuge in Canada in August 2007. In his young career, he has had the opportunity to record and perform in Africa, Cuba and most of Canada’s major cities.