Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, crowned Zakaria Al Zirek from Morocco as the star of season 13 of Munshid Al Sharjah on Thursday at Al Majaz Amphitheatre.
The nasheed, Islamic chanting, talent competition was organised by Sharjah TV, an affiliate of Sharjah Radio and Television Authority.
“We witnessed a special closing night of Munshid Al Sharjah season 13 contest, which is greatly supported by HH the Ruler of Sharjah. We enjoyed the welcoming ambience of Ramadan at Al Majaz Amphitheatre. We congratulate the representative of the Kingdom of Morocco for winning the title. We also would like to thank Sharjah Radio and Television Authority for their renewed creativity," Sheikh Sultan tweeted.
Moroccan nasheed singer Al Zirek emerged victorious after a gruelling battle, while Ahmed Samreen from Jordan came in second place and Aseel Jaber from Algeria took third.
Six nasheed vocalists from different Arab countries qualified for the final evening, but only three won Munshid Al Sharjah awards after amassing the highest percentage of votes from the audience and judging panel.
The jubilant star, who was awarded Dh100,000, was elated when he was announced as the winner.
"At the moment the third and second place winners were announced, I trusted that God will not fail me and that He will make my dream come true," Al Zirek, 25, told The National.
"When they announced my name in the first place, it was like I embraced my dream with my own hands. This is God's blessing."
The singer is now looking forward to future opportunities.
“I have many ideas and plans in mind that I need to implement upon my return to my home country,” he said.
“In addition to pursuing my Master’s degree in Islamic Studies, I shall pursue purposeful art and implement the ideas that I have set out for myself one at a time. Making random choices is not fruitful. One ought to be patient and organise his thoughts for a rewarding outcome.”
Speaking of the near future, Al Zirek said he could be signing contracts with production companies.
“I need to spend the money that I won wisely or else it won’t bring value to my life. I could be signing contracts with production companies. Projects will be a good investment therefore I need to start working harder. More effort and continuity are needed post-Munshid Al Sharjah. The talent show was only a station.”
Al Zirek has been chasing the dream of joining the talent show for many years. He thanks his mother, who kept encouraging him not to give up despite not making it past Munshid Al Sharjah’s auditions stage for more than four years.
“My mother prayed for me with all the love in her heart and kept on encouraging me until I got selected this year,” he said.
Al Zirek discovered his talent when he was very young.
“I used to read the Quran at the age of 5 then I moved to the next stage, which is to practice Islamic chants. Later, my dream got bigger. This is when I discovered that I have a talent. I therefore started to improve it and show it to the world.”
Not wanting to waste any time after his victory, Al Zirek is looking forward to getting into the act immediately.
"With Ramadan starting soon, I will be having interviews and participate in TV shows during Ramadan. In Morocco, Ramadan has its own powerful presence characterised by artistic heritage and an audience keen to hear Islamic chants. Events in Ramadan most commonly include Islamic chants."
The vocal coach, season four finalist Mustafa Hamdo from Syria, also expressed his joy when two of his vocal trainees won second and first place.
"I expected Zakaria Al Zirek from Morocco and Ahmed Samreen from Jordan to be among the top three winners. We used to stay up all night, worked hard and laid down plans. I once was a contestant just like them in Munshid Al Sharjah in season 4 and I won first place. This has honed my experience as a vocal trainer."
Hamdo worked also on his trainees' mental state of mind. "I made sure they are comfortable and confident. I didn't feel that fear, boredom or depression took over them. This usually happens in the early stages and the final stage when tension is at its peak. I worked on alleviating their fear especially tonight after Ahmed Samreen suffered shortly before his performance on stage from low blood pressure, so I helped him regain his confidence before facing the audience."
Crowned in second place, Samreen, 23, from Jordan said he was hoping to come first, but that he is nevertheless happy with the outcome.
"Since I was 18 years old, I applied to become part of the competition, but luck wasn't by my side. Thank God, I aced it this time," he said.
"I was hoping to be crowned in the first place, but I am extremely happy that this is a divine destiny and I am utterly content with the result. I would like to thank God, all my family, relatives and friends who supported me all the way."
Samreen said that a week before the competition started he completed his BA in physics.
"I am planning to work in both fields, the physics field, which I love, and chanting. I will prioritise these two. Munshid Al Sharjah is the beginning of my journey in chanting. Through this contest, people got to know me, see me and consequently look forward to my projects. I will start from tomorrow to work on new projects and be seen by the public. As soon as I fly back to Jordan, I will start working on Ramadan projects if God wills."
For five seasons now, the evening also featured the Lebanese-Swedish singer, songwriter and music producer Maher Zain who sang eight songs, including the audience's favourite, Ya Nabi Salam Alayka (Peace Be Upon You, Prophet) and ended his performance with Ramadan Ghana (Ramadan Has Come To Us.
"I picked Ramadan Ghana to end the show because Ramadan is coming in two days and it would be nice with the kids and everyone."
Zain said that he is planning to release new music this Ramadan.
"If God wills, two songs will be released in Ramadan. They are No One But You and Rahmaton Lil Alameen (Mercy To The World)," he said.
The show was judged by Tunisian singer Lotfi Bouchnak, who is viewed as a legend in the Arab entertainment industry, referred to as Tunisia’s Pavarotti and known for his religious chants, as well as Sufi singer Sheikh Mahmoud El Tohamy, the man behind Madrassat Al Inshad (School of Chanting) in Egypt.
They were joined by Ahmed Bukhatir, who hails from Sharjah, and is considered the UAE's chanting ambassador. Bukhatir began his chanting career in 1989 and released his first album at the age of 20, titled Entasaf Al Layl, in 2000.
The annual Munshid Al Sharjah competition is one of the most important aimed at discovering chanting talents. The first series was launched in 2006.
After strong contests held in six Arab countries and online, in which 1,240 applicants of different nationalities and age groups participated, 12 contestants from 12 Arab countries qualified for this year's programme.
The preliminary rounds to select outstanding talents began on December 18 and lasted until January 1, in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Egypt, Jordan and Algeria, in addition to the online tests during the same period.
A family-orientated Munshid Al Sharjah Festival, outside Al Majaz Amphitheatre also came to a close on Thursday.
The specs
Engine: Long-range single or dual motor with 200kW or 400kW battery
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Max touring range: 620km / 590km
Price: From Dh250,000 (estimated)
COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
From Zero
Artist: Linkin Park
Label: Warner Records
Number of tracks: 11
Rating: 4/5
The%20Genius%20of%20Their%20Age
%3Cp%3EAuthor%3A%20S%20Frederick%20Starr%3Cbr%3EPublisher%3A%20Oxford%20University%20Press%3Cbr%3EPages%3A%20290%3Cbr%3EAvailable%3A%20January%2024%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
FIGHT%20CARD
%3Cp%3EAnthony%20Joshua%20v%20Otto%20Wallin%2C%2012%20rounds%2C%20heavyweight%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EDeontay%20Wilder%20v%20Joseph%20Parker%2C%2012%20rounds%2C%20heavyweight%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EDmitry%20Bivol%20v%20Lyndon%20Arthur%2C%2012%20rounds%2C%20light%20heavyweight%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EDaniel%20Dubois%20v%20Jarrell%20Miller%2C%2012%20rounds%2C%20heavyweight%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EFilip%20Hrgovic%20v%20Mark%20de%20Mori%2C%2012%20rounds%2C%20heavyweight%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EArslanbek%20Makhmudov%20v%20Agit%20Kabayel%2C%2012%20rounds%2C%20heavyweight%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EFrank%20Sanchez%20v%20Junior%20Fa%2C%2012%20rounds%2C%20heavyweight%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EJai%20Opetaia%20v%20Ellis%20Zorro%2C%2012%20rounds%2C%20cruiserweight%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
THE BIO
Born: Mukalla, Yemen, 1979
Education: UAE University, Al Ain
Family: Married with two daughters: Asayel, 7, and Sara, 6
Favourite piece of music: Horse Dance by Naseer Shamma
Favourite book: Science and geology
Favourite place to travel to: Washington DC
Best advice you’ve ever been given: If you have a dream, you have to believe it, then you will see it.
ARSENAL IN 1977
Feb 05 Arsenal 0-0 Sunderland
Feb 12 Manchester City 1-0 Arsenal
Feb 15 Middlesbrough 3-0 Arsenal
Feb 19 Arsenal 2-3 West Ham
Feb 26 Middlesbrough 4-1 Arsenal (FA Cup)
Mar 01 Everton 2-1 Arsenal
Mar 05 Arsenal 1-4 ipswich
March 08 Arsenal 1-2 West Brom
Mar 12 QPR 2-1 Arsenal
Mar 23 Stoke 1-1 Arsenal
Apr 02 Arsenal 3-0 Leicester
Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha
Starring: Ajay Devgn, Tabu, Shantanu Maheshwari, Jimmy Shergill, Saiee Manjrekar
Director: Neeraj Pandey
Rating: 2.5/5
MATCH INFO
Quarter-finals
Saturday (all times UAE)
England v Australia, 11.15am
New Zealand v Ireland, 2.15pm
Sunday
Wales v France, 11.15am
Japan v South Africa, 2.15pm
Name: Colm McLoughlin
Country: Galway, Ireland
Job: Executive vice chairman and chief executive of Dubai Duty Free
Favourite golf course: Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club
Favourite part of Dubai: Palm Jumeirah
The specs: 2017 Porsche 718 Cayman
Price, base / as tested Dh222,500 / Dh296,870
Engine 2.0L, flat four-cylinder
Transmission Seven-speed PDK
Power 300hp @ 6,500rpm
Torque 380hp @ 1,950rpm
Fuel economy, combined 6.9L / 100km
Manchester City 4
Otamendi (52) Sterling (59) Stones (67) Brahim Diaz (81)
Real Madrid 1
Oscar (90)
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
Indoor Cricket World Cup - Sept 16-20, Insportz, Dubai
UAE cricketers abroad
Sid Jhurani is not the first cricketer from the UAE to go to the UK to try his luck.
Rameez Shahzad Played alongside Ben Stokes and Liam Plunkett in Durham while he was studying there. He also played club cricket as an overseas professional, but his time in the UK stunted his UAE career. The batsman went a decade without playing for the national team.
Yodhin Punja The seam bowler was named in the UAE’s extended World Cup squad in 2015 despite being just 15 at the time. He made his senior UAE debut aged 16, and subsequently took up a scholarship at Claremont High School in the south of England.
Brief scores
Toss India, chose to bat
India 281-7 in 50 ov (Pandya 83, Dhoni 79; Coulter-Nile 3-44)
Australia 137-9 in 21 ov (Maxwell 39, Warner 25; Chahal 3-30)
India won by 26 runs on Duckworth-Lewis Method
Armies of Sand
By Kenneth Pollack (Oxford University Press)
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
French business
France has organised a delegation of leading businesses to travel to Syria. The group was led by French shipping giant CMA CGM, which struck a 30-year contract in May with the Syrian government to develop and run Latakia port. Also present were water and waste management company Suez, defence multinational Thales, and Ellipse Group, which is currently looking into rehabilitating Syrian hospitals.
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
Third Test
Day 3, stumps
India 443-7 (d) & 54-5 (27 ov)
Australia 151
India lead by 346 runs with 5 wickets remaining
UAE squad
Esha Oza (captain), Al Maseera Jahangir, Emily Thomas, Heena Hotchandani, Indhuja Nandakumar, Katie Thompson, Lavanya Keny, Mehak Thakur, Michelle Botha, Rinitha Rajith, Samaira Dharnidharka, Siya Gokhale, Sashikala Silva, Suraksha Kotte, Theertha Satish (wicketkeeper) Udeni Kuruppuarachchige, Vaishnave Mahesh.
UAE tour of Zimbabwe
All matches in Bulawayo
Friday, Sept 26 – First ODI
Sunday, Sept 28 – Second ODI
Tuesday, Sept 30 – Third ODI
Thursday, Oct 2 – Fourth ODI
Sunday, Oct 5 – First T20I
Monday, Oct 6 – Second T20I
The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
Info
What: 11th edition of the Mubadala World Tennis Championship
When: December 27-29, 2018
Confirmed: men: Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Kevin Anderson, Dominic Thiem, Hyeon Chung, Karen Khachanov; women: Venus Williams
Tickets: www.ticketmaster.ae, Virgin megastores or call 800 86 823
KYLIAN MBAPPE 2016/17 STATS
Ligue 1: Appearances - 29, Goals - 15, Assists - 8
UCL: Appearances - 9, Goals - 6
French Cup: Appearances - 3, Goals - 3
France U19: Appearances - 5, Goals - 5, Assists - 1
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 201hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 320Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 6-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 8.7L/100km
Price: Dh133,900
On sale: now
Results
2.30pm: Expo 2020 Dubai – Conditions (PA) Dh80,000 (Dirt) 1,600m; Winner: Barakka, Ray Dawson (jockey), Ahmad bin Harmash (trainer)
3.05pm: Now Or Never – Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (Turf) 1,600m; Winner: One Idea, Andrea Atzeni, Doug Watson
3.40pm: This Is Our Time – Handicap (TB) Dh82,500 (D) 1,600m; Winner: Perfect Balance, Tadhg O’Shea, Bhupat Seemar
4.15pm: Visit Expo 2020 – Handicap (TB) Dh87,500 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Kaheall, Richard Mullen, Salem bin Ghadayer
4.50pm: The World In One Place – Handicap (TB) Dh95,000 (T) 1.900m; Winner: Castlebar, Adrie de Vries, Helal Al Alawi
5.25pm: Vision – Handicap (TB) Dh95,000 (D) 1,200m; Winner: Shanty Star, Richard Mullen, Rashed Bouresly
6pm: Al Wasl Plaza – Handicap (TB) Dh95,000 (T) 1,200m; Winner: Jadwal, Dane O’Neill, Doug Watson
The past Palme d'Or winners
2018 Shoplifters, Hirokazu Kore-eda
2017 The Square, Ruben Ostlund
2016 I, Daniel Blake, Ken Loach
2015 Dheepan, Jacques Audiard
2014 Winter Sleep (Kış Uykusu), Nuri Bilge Ceylan
2013 Blue is the Warmest Colour (La Vie d'Adèle: Chapitres 1 et 2), Abdellatif Kechiche, Adele Exarchopoulos and Lea Seydoux
2012 Amour, Michael Haneke
2011 The Tree of Life, Terrence Malick
2010 Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives (Lung Bunmi Raluek Chat), Apichatpong Weerasethakul
2009 The White Ribbon (Eine deutsche Kindergeschichte), Michael Haneke
2008 The Class (Entre les murs), Laurent Cantet
Racecard
6pm: Mina Hamriya – Handicap (TB) $75,000 (Dirt) 1,400m
6.35pm: Al Wasl Stakes – Conditions (TB) $60,000 (Turf) 1,200m
7.10pm: UAE Oaks – Group 3 (TB) $150,000 (D) 1,900m
7.45pm: Blue Point Sprint – Group 2 (TB) $180,000 (T) 1,000m
8.20pm: Nad Al Sheba Trophy – Group 3 (TB) $200,000 (T) 2,810m
8.55pm: Mina Rashid – Handicap (TB) $80,000 (T) 1,600m
The%20specs
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