Najam Sheraz

PRESS RELEASE


New British television program REMEMBERING THE CHILDREN OF PALESTINE has invited Pakistani Pop star Najam Sheraz to sing his peace anthem ONLY LOVE on their Tuesday February 24 telecast, 6 PM – 7PM GMT.



Press TV has a new one-hour weekly program, REMEMBERING THE CHILDREN OF PALESTINE, which focuses on the terrible situation in Gaza. Each week, the show features a performer who cares about what is happening in Gaza today and has composed music that is relevant to the issue.



South Asian Pop icon Najam Sheraz is their guest artist on what will be the show’s second broadcast, reaching up to 4 million viewers worldwide. Sheraz will sing ONLY LOVE, which he has presented as a goodwill representative for his native Pakistan at important peace events, such as the Global Peace and Unity Event at London’s Excel, the World Peace for Life Concert at LA Convention Center and the historic Olympic Torch Relay Ceremonies at Islamabad Stadium for the 2008 Beijing Games. He has received two U.S. Congressional awards for his work towards world peace, and was given the Universal Peace Federation’s Ambassador for Peace Award.



With ten albums and nine number one singles in his career, including the monster hit song, “Bheegay Hont Tere” for the Bollywood film MURDER, 2008 brought many new accolades: Music India named him Artist of the Month of April, B4U named him their Artist of the Month in May and MTV Pakistan named him Coolest Artist of the Month of June; Sheraz went on to be hailed as Channel V’s Next Big Thing and October’s PICKED Artist of the Month on The Musik.



His current single and music video in Pakistan is “Dil Tumhara Bhi Hae”; both the record and video were produced in London. In February 2009, he was the celebrity guest on the popular BBC radio show GAGAN GREWAL.



The program’s host presenter, Lauren Booth, will interview Sheraz live via satellite.



Lauren Booth, sister-in-law to past UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, is a well known British journalist and human rights advocate. She is director of Aloha Palestine, an organization for a just peace in Palestine. In August of 2008, their supply boats succeeded in breaking the siege of Gaza by non-violent direct action and were the first boats to arrive in Gaza in 41 years.



Najam Sheraz is scheduled to appear at Royal Albert Hall in London on April 17 for a Gaza benefit and will be traveling through India and Bangladesh, as well as Europe and North America on his 2009 ONLY LOVE Tour.



REMEMBERING THE CHILDREN OF PALESTINE airs on Press TV Tuesday February 24 from 6PM-7PM GMT. The show re-airs Wednesday Feb. 25 from 4 AM-5AM GMT and from 10 AM-11AM GMT.



Janet Goodman Publicity and Booking

Miami, USA janetgoodman@bellsouth.net

www.myspace.com/najamsheraz

www.youtube.com/najamsheraz



- Janet Goodman Publicity and Booking

January - March
The year began with wrapping up production on our new CD Najam. Recorded in the UK under the direction of British producer Chris Eaton, it featured a fabulous roster of England's best musical talent: Dan Wheeler, Mark Edwards, Miles Bould, Matt Weeks, Collin, Paul Burton (aka Paulie Poppadom) and Natalie Williams. This is Najam's first record made in Europe. The fusion of eastern classical and western pop was a long fulfilled dream.

April
Our promotion schedule began in early April of this year with the launch of the new CD Najam on the FrankFinn label in India and Fire Records in Pakistan. That same month, the music video Khwabon Ke Rishtey was released, and became an instant hit and subject of much discussion in South Asia. We traveled on a five city tour of India and Najam's peace anthem Only Love was presented to thousands at the Olympic Torch Relay Ceremony for the 2008 Beijing Games at Islamabad Stadium. Music India named him Artist of the Month.

May
There were numerous television and radio appearances on popular programs in May. B4U named Najam their Artist of the Month, and the Screen India article about Najam was published.

June
June saw us all over TV and radio airways in Pakistan for live appearances and MTV Pakistan named Najam their Coolest Artist of the Month. Beach View Park in Karachi was the site of a huge Najam Sheraz concert. We traveled to Hollywood to appear at the World Peace for Life Concert, where Najam became the first ever Pakistani to perform on stage at the LA Convention Center. His peace anthem Only Love drew a standing ovation. He then flew on to Thailand to film a video of Chairay Man Ke Taar on exotic Krabi Island, under the direction of Indian film director Shareen Mantari.

July
A concert tour of the UK took place in early July, and India's Channel V named Najam their Next Big Thing.

August
We were back in busy Bangkok to shoot the music video for Menu Tere Naal with Shareen Mantari. This video was shot high on top of a helipad in the city.

September
The Universal Peace Federation honored Najam with their Ambassador of Peace Award.

October
The Musik named Najam their PICKED Artist of the Month of October. The Carlton hosted our concert mid-month and Najam was interviewed on the popular Sahir Lodhi Show. Towards the end of the month we were back in the UK, where we were given a reception at the British Parliament's House of Lords by MP Minister David Lammy. Islam Channel’s talk show host Sajid Varda interviewed Najam for his Saturday Night Live program to be aired in 2009. London publication The Asian Today published their article about us, as well as PakStar Magazine in Canada. Najam performed at the annual Global Peace and Unity Event at London's Excel Centre, which was his fourth appearance. Here he introduced his first all-English nasheed Take Me Back to full capacity crowds of 21,000 for two concerts and gave an historic performance.

November
Still in Great Britain, we shot the music video for Ja Re Ja on location in Eastbourne, just south of London, led by British film director Bryan Thompson. Back home in Pakistan, Najam's latest music video Dil Tumhara Bhi Hae was released. It was his first English/Urdu duet and featured the vocals of lovely London Jazz singer Natalie Williams. The Musik aired a documentary about Najam as part of their PICKED Artist of the Month tribute. Najam made an appearance on the MTV special anniversary celebration. Late in the month he was in concert in Kolkata, India, which went on air live across the globe. The next day he appeared on Tara News, discussing the Mumbai incident and condemning terrorism.

December
This month there were several televised concerts in Pakistan, including a special tribute performance in honor of the late Benazir Bhutto. TV Southasia began airing their new reality series Southasian Super Star featuring Najam as a celebrity judge and guest performer. With contestants from several South Asian countries, it is a talent competition that focuses on music tearing down barriers of language and bridging often contentious cultures with the universal message of song. Currently we are gearing up for The 2009 Only Love Tour of Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, India, Bulgaria, Italy, UK, US and Canada and have plans to launch the mega single Menu Tere Naal in India.
Janet Goodman – Publicist
Miami, Florida, USA
janetgoodman@bellsouth.net
- Press release

The newest reality television series to hit the airways this season is Southasian Super Star, launched by TV Southasia, with pop star Najam Sheraz as a celebrity judge.

This six-week series follows thousands of aspiring singers from their preliminary auditions and regional competitions in Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, India and Pakistan to the final competitions amongst ten finalists, culminating in the Mega Finale held in Kolkata where one will be chosen to become the next Southasian Super Star.

The winner will be signed to a year’s contract with TV Southasia and Taramuzik, and will receive a long list of gifts that include a new car and laptop computer.

Contestants are judged by five musically talented celebrities: Najam Sheraz, huge pop star, singer, producer, and songwriter from Pakistan; Sharang Dev, awarded composer and son of icon Pandit Jasraj from India; Aagun, pop star and son of legends Khan Ata and Nilufer Yasmin of Bangladesh; Diliup Gabadamudalige, composer from Sri Lanka; Raju Singh, music director from Nepal; Usha Uttup from India joins the judges on the final round.

Judge and guest performer Najam Sheraz opened the competition with his hit Hum Bolen Mohabbat Ki Ziuban, backed by the top ten contestants of Southasian Super Star. At the finale, Najam is scheduled to perform Menu Tere Naal (the original version of Bheegay Hont Tere and his next video to be launched in India) and his world peace anthem Only Love.

More important than a talent competition, this show focuses on music tearing down barriers of language, bridging often contentious cultures with the universal message of song. This brother and sisterhood of music is a powerful tool that’s needed now more than ever in today’s sensitive relationship between global neighbors.

TV Southasia was founded on a similar premise; it is a collaborative channel, bringing together television stations from diverse South Asian nations and cultures in order to share common viewpoints.

Participating channels bringing you Southasian Super Star are: TV Southasia - India, Image Channel - Nepal, MTV - Sri Lanka, RTV - Bangladesh and Aaj TV - Pakistan.

Premiere dates: December 7 in Nepal, India and Sri Lanka; December 19 in Bangladesh; Mid-December TBA in Pakistan

In India, the show is aired Sundays 9:30 AM IST and 7:30 PM IST (repeat), Fridays 9:30 PM IST and Saturdays 7:30 PM IST (repeat)

The show can be viewed live on the website www.tvsouthasia.com

Najam and top 10 contestants: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EOZwW794MkA

Janet Goodman Publicity www.myspace.com/najamsheraz
- Press Release 12/17/08

EXPRESS FEATURES SERVICE Posted online: Nov 28, 2008 at 0255 hrs

Music will go a long way in healing the wounds of India and Pakistan, feels Pakistani pop star Najam Sheraz.

He may be a big name back home in Pakistan, but pop singer Najam Sheraz's tryst with India has been a chequered one. In 1999 when he came to India to release his first album, Pal Do Pal Ki Chahat, the Kargil war played spoilsport. Then in 2004 he received a frantic call from a friend from India. "He asked me if I have sold the rights of my song to Mahesh Bhatt. When I answered in negative he asked me to check out the promos of the Murder," says Sheraz, who is in the city to perform in a concert. The song in question was Bheeghe hoth tere from the film Murder, which is a direct lift of Sheraz's original Pujabi song, Menu tere naal. "I rang up Mahesh and introduced myself as the composer of Menu Tere Naal. He apologised to me that he could not locate me before asking my permission to record the number Bheege Hoth Tere with Kunal Ganjawala for Murder and asked me point blank whether I wanted money from him. I told him that I felt bad that I was not given my due credit for the number and asked him for recognition, not money," remembers Sheraz.

These are however, happier times. The singer is touring the country to promote his latest album, Najam. "The album is an amalgamation of different genres of music, be it eastern classical or folk, rock or funk and even blues. I want to spread peace and harmony through my music, and this album is a true testament to that. I believe that it is only the conflict of interests that exists between Indian and Pakistan, not enmity," he says.

His collaboration with British musician Emily Sarah Edmondstone, who is touring the country with him, is a testament to the liberal nature of his music. "I heard her in myspace and wanted to work with her. Her knowledge of Hindustani classical music is amazing. She even plays the sarangi," he says. The music scene of this country however, is quite different to that in Pakistan. "The popular culture in India is all about Bollywood in India, but in Pakistan pop stars are big. Cinema almost died in our country in the 1980s, since then people idolise pop stars," states Sheraz.

Kolkata's rich musical tradition has impressed him. "Everybody seems to be in sur in this city. They also have a very musical way of speaking," beams Sheraz.
- Indian Express

Interviews - The Asian Today, UK Updated: 12:42, Thursday October 23, 2008

Najam Sheraz – Music with a Message
Pakistani popstar on why peace is the way forward

NAJAM Sheraz is one of Pakistan’s biggest international singers. Selling thousands of albums over a career that has spanned a phenomenal ten albums isn’t enough for this young artist. Najam is a peace activist driven by the desire to see a better world for all – a passion that is reflected in his music. A goodwill representative for Pakistan on the international stage he boasts two U.S. Congressional awards for his work towards world peace and his moving peace anthem Only Love was the official Beijing Olympic song for the Torch Relay Ceremony in Islamabad.
Later this month Najam will perform at the annual Global Peace & Unity event in London – his fourth appearance at the event in as many years.
Zakia Yousaf caught up with Najam to find out what it is about global peace that makes him so passionate…

Najam, your forthcoming appearance at the Global Peace and Unity event will be your fourth now – what is it about the event that interests you?
It’s a global peace event which has been my mission ever since ''Na Tera Khuda Koi Aur Hae'' came out. This platform does not support any school of thought or sect and promotes unity. For me it has been a great opportunity to connect with so many wonderful people. I seek inspiration and motivation from this event.

The event attempts to build bridges between people irrespective of religion and race – do you think it is successful in its aim?
Yes it is to a great extent. Thousands of people get out of their homes get together at Excel peacefully like a family. It is a great demonstration for all other communities that Islam is about peace in everyway . Artistes and scholars from different countries come and motivate the spirit to live in peace. You see a community can only contribute to a global peace when they are united. Unity is only possible when you are tolerant and compassionate so it’s all interrelated.

You get an overwhelming message of peace and harmony through much of your music – why have you chosen this direction?
Two reasons: one is that it keeps me focused in my life and secondly it's satisfying to see people getting inspired by positivity. My voice is a gift from the Creator and he has kept me really well. Why shouldn't I use it to support his system, the base of which is goodness. I think that's being grateful.

Your peace anthem 'Only Love' became part of the Olympic Games – How much did this recognition mean to you?
It actually started at the 3rd Global Peace and Unity event last year and the response was overwhelming. It then received a standing ovation at the LA Convention Center which gave me more confidence. Only Love is a heart to heart dialogue between the two worlds that I see getting distant and confused about each other. Both the worlds have a lot to learn from the goodness they have established in their societies.

You've won a number of awards for your peace work - Do you think it's important that singers use their platform to create music that touches on relevant social issues?
The thing is you need to communicate through all possible ways and people. Certain people follow politicians, some follow scholars and some follow artistes and celebrities. In a successful society people from different walks of life support each other in their own way eventually contributing to keep the society balanced.

You’re currently promoting your tenth album 'Najam' – have you found yourself having to change the direction of your music to accommodate changing trends in world music?
I have never been repetitive. I believe in progression and improvement For me it was worth every penny to record in England with the leading musicians of this industry. It was a perfect marriage of the two worlds. We shot videos in London, Mumbai, Krabi Island, Bangkok and we’re now planning to do something around Brighton and Eastbourne and New York. It’s an awesome experience and a truly global product.

You're incredibly famous in your native Pakistan – how do you handle the pressures of being such a huge star?
By being humble and productive and keeping my child alive inside me (laughs). When I am about to get on stage I feel like dirt, absolutely nothing, which takes away the pressure and all on my mind at that time is that I need to get on stage and do my best which always works for me and I wouldn't want it to change. I know that God has given me all of this for a reason and I should never forget that. So I enjoy my food and the very elementary things.

Najam a final word for your fans in the UK?
It was a pleasure talking to you. See you all at the concert.

Najam Sheraz will be performing at the Global Peace and Unity event at Excel Arena, London on October 25 & 26. - The Asian Today (UK)

Music
PopularNews
By Rajiv Vijayakar
Posted: May 09, 2008 at 1714 hrs IST

He uses music to explore cultures and build bridges across them. Najam Sheraz, the man behind the original of the cult Murder song Bheege honth tere, continues his mission with his debut Indian album

Najam Sheraz is one of the most prolific musicians from Pakistan. Music, to state a cliché, has always been Najam Sheraz’s true passion. His fascinating career includes a wide range of albums and singles that are considered to be anthems worldwide.

Being a true artiste, Najam Sheraz believes in the philosophy that spreading peace and harmony through music is a greater (and far more gratifying) cause than simply composing music for entertainment. He believes that this generates music that is truly long-lasting. This is the reason why he is still growing as a musician ever since he began his musical journey in 1994 and today is the only Pakistani artiste other than the legendary Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan to feature in the original soundtrack of a major Hollywood production. He has featured on the original soundtrack of Twentieth-Century Fox movie Split Wide Open.

Says Najam, “I have always been very prolific. In 12 years I have had 9 albums and many singles. In this self-titled album, all my musicians are from Karachi but the production has been done in England.”

Najam is based in Karachi but India is very close to him. “It’s just a 80-minute flight from Karachi to Mumbai,” he points out. “I have always wanted not just my country and yours at peace but the entire world too. I think that songs that speak of peace and harmony make for big songs.”It is just recently that Najam’s Hum bole mohabbat ki zubaan has been used in one of the biggest campaigns for peace by Mobilink, the leading mobile network in Pakistan.

When not doing music, Najam is making documentaries worldwide. “I also do stage shows for the cause and also interact with various religious heads and heads of nations. I directed a much-appreciated BBC film on extremism and Islam.”

Najam says that his globetrotting and continuous interaction with musicians and cultures across the world allows him the privilege of seeing different cultures from close quarters and spotting the common positive aspects of each.

“There are a lot of wonderful things in Indian culture, for example, like equality in lifestyles that is much less in Pakistan. The Pakistani lifestyle is humbler and without unnecessary lavishness. And there are things about us and our culture that Indians need to know too, which can only be possible by going there. In India, people have very threadbare knowledge about Pakistani culture.”

He admits that a lot of misconceptions about his nation and people have been formed by past and present history. “The West does have a mindset about us, but they need to know a lot of things.”

Najam takes a lot of justified pride in playing this role of a bridge between human beings, and yes, contrary to accepted thinking, he has been appreciated even at home. Says Najam, “I have been awarded in Pakistan in addition to winning two Congressional awards in the West.”

Has he been actually studying other religions and their texts? “Of course,” he replies. “I have studied the Bhagwad Gita and the Bible and have had fruitful discussions on Sikhism, Jainism and Buddhism. Once again there is so much common ground. We are all having the same wants.”

Music helps bridge the common ground and create more respect for each other, feels the singer. “Rather than with a speech, there is more confidence that whatever I say with music will ring a bell.”

In a rare first, Najam is the singer’s original release in India. “It has fresh tracks not yet released anywhere. In fact, the Pakistani audio release was a week after the Indian. It has been released there on Geo TV, which is the biggest television channel as well as publication house and music label.”

Najam is very happy with Frankfinn Music for their support and excellent marketing. “The video is a first of its kind,” says Najam. “Directed by Shareen Mantri, it has a socially-relevant theme of molestation of teenage girls by step-parents. The second video will be shot in London and all the tracks are in Urdu and Hindi with a smattering of English in a song or two.”

For someone so prolific, Najam was lying low since his last album almost four years ago. “I did make two spiritual albums, but otherwise I waited because I wanted my new album to stand out sound-wise and expression-wise. So I took a trip to England and got it recorded there when I finally felt that I was on to a good thing. And now it is challenging to launch an album in India where a film soundtrack is released every two days and basic albums have to compete with them.”

The compositions on the album depict an amalgamation of various genres - Eastern classical and folk, rock, funk and even blues. “This album is an extension of my pe - Screen India

SPIRITUALLY SPEAKING
3/28/08 UK
Najam Sheraz Believes in Music with a Conscience

by ASJAD NAZIR

IT’S difficult not to like Najam Sheraz. He has the charisma of
a star, the talent of a musical maestro and the spirituality of a
older, wiser man.

In the past decade, he has mixed up hugely popular pop anthems
with deeply spiritual songs that have touched the hearts and
minds of millions around the world.
In between, he has highlighted important causes,
done work for charity and delivered sublime live
performances all over the world. Since his last full
musical album Jaisay Chaho Jiyo in 2002, Najam
has done a patriotic album, made documentaries,
recorded a spiritual album and got asked to reproduce
and re-sing the official National Anthem
of Pakistan, something no one has been asked to
do since 1947.

When you started, did you ever imagine you
would record 10 solo albums?
No, the biggest challenge was to record the first
one. On every subsequent album, I felt the same
– that I couldn’t imagine composing a full album
of songs. Honestly, when I listen to massive songs
like Hum Bolain Mohabbat Ki Zuban, Na Tera
Khuda Koi Aur Hai and Menu Tere Naal, I can’t
believe I did them.

Why did you decide to do your latest album in
the UK?
I gradually fell in love with the UK. I did some
post-production of the song Hum Bolain Mohabbat
Ki Zuban at the Abbey Road Studios in
2006, which gave me a taste of the British sound.
At the end of 2006, I met Chris Eaten, a songwriter
from the West Midlands who had written for
artists including Cliff Richard, Jessica Simpson,
Janet Jackson and Amy Grant. We co-wrote and coproduced
the world peace song Only Love, which
we haven’t released yet. I was so inspired by Chris’
devotion and commitment to make music that I
asked him if he would be interested in co-producing
my album. It took him a while to get into the project
because it was in a different language, but he rose to the
challenge. Together we formed our production team of
amazing artists.

Tell us about the songs on there?
The as-yet untitled album has the songs Khabon Ke Rishtay,
Charay Man Ke Taar, Mera Yar Bina, Ja Re Ja, Aajana, Hum
Bolain Mohabbat Ki Zuban, a new version of Menu Tere Naal and
Dil Tumhara Bhi Hae, which is a duet with Natalie Williams.

What was the biggest challenge in producing the album?
Staying away from home and the family for months, spending a lot
of money and eating food I’m not used to. Technically, the challenge
was to make everyone understand the vision and the feeling of the
songs. Thank God my melodies were expressive enough to dictate the
direction, and the production team were very intelligent. Chris was at
his best and Dan Wheeler has a gift of giving a track the right soundscape.
Paul (Burton), who mixed the album, did the rest of the magic.

Has this album tested you vocally?
Big time! I knew how much was at stake money and career-wise, so I had
to deliver. The songs were very demanding and because Chris is a virtuoso
singer, he was also very demanding. Singing with an accomplished jazz singer like
Natalie Williams on Dil Tumhara... was another challenge.

Do you find it hard to balance your spiritual side with the pop side of things?
I’m human and get tempted by worldly things, but my spirituality brings
me back on track. It’s really been challenging all these years but
I am getting there – the best thing about spiritual awareness
is that it makes it easy to connect with different cultures and
people and helps me to be more focused in my career. We
all belong to the same creator, have the same wants, face
the same challenges. I have seen many people indulge in
just making money and having fun. It helps you to be
humble and most of all, spiritual awareness helps you to
recognise the truth, sincerity and real friends.

How important is it for you to have social messages in
your music?
It is very important. In the video of Khabon Ke Rishtay,
which will be out soon, we have addressed issues
faced by young girls like date rape, teenage pregnancy
and molestation for the first time. There are messages
in the other songs like the importance of communication
in Dil Tumhara and the message of tolerance
in the song Mohabbat Ki Zuban. I don’t try to fit lyrics
to music, I go with the idea from scratch.

What are your passions away from music?
To be a better human being and to live for a cause
– right now, peace and harmony is the biggest
need of the current times. I love cricket, good food
and spending time with my family.

Tell us something people don’t know about you?
(Laughs) I am an angel... well, people already
know that. I think they shouldn’t know what they
are not supposed to know.

After all these years, what are your biggest unfulfilled
ambitions?
I don’t look at things that way. I believe in my own
path and am very confident about it. But I would
like to be better in every way – - Eastern Eye Newspaper (UK)

http://www.thesaturdaypost.com/rendezvous_162_najam_shiraz.htm
January 2009

RENDEZVOUS
Najam Sheraz

Fourteen years and ten albums behind him in his successful music career, Najam Sheraz is more energetic and optimistic for the future than ever before. 2009 will be the most important year yet for Najam, for he has plans to change the world through his music. This spring, Najam will begin his much anticipated 2009 ONLY LOVE World Tour, with stops in India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Italy, Bulgaria, Great Britian, United States and Canada. This tour has been inspired by his moving peace anthem ONLY LOVE, which he has presented internationally, at LA Convention Center, London's Excel and at Islamabad Stadium during the Olympic Torch Ceremony for the 2008 Beijing Games. His message is simple: "Do you believe what I believe? Do you feel what I feel? This is the time to forget the past, let's give each other a chance. Only love can break the chains. Only love can save the day." These are the chorus lyrics of his peace song ONLY LOVE, which he sings with deep conviction and hopes his listeners also take to heart and put into action. With the planet's survival in the fragile balance, Najam believes we can't wait around any longer for peace to just happen; each of us must take on the responsibility for peace on an individual basis. This good news of the individual's power to make a difference through love is what Najam plans to deliver to fans on his world tour.
Please introduce yourself to our readers:
I am a singer, song writer, producer and a peace worker.
Tell us where you grew up, your education and family?

I grew up in an ancient city of Multan, Pakistan. I attended UET Engineering University in Lahore to study Civil Engineering; however, I never finished my degree. I am the youngest of four sisters and three brothers.
When did you become interested in music? And how did you enter the music scene?
I don’t exactly remember when, but I have always been interested in music. My brother Salman was a better singer, but he was a bit shy to be the front man, so he pushed me in the front from the drum kit.

Did your family support your decision to become a musician?

They encouraged and appreciated, but they wanted me to become an engineer. However, I don’t believe in fall back plans...
Your first song ‘In Sai Nain’ received a good response and was a hit, how many songs and albums have you released since then?
I have sung the most number of national songs, and have released about ten albums and numerous singles; including the National Anthem of Pakistan.
Do you write and compose the music yourself or do you have a team that helps you?

I write, compose and co-produce as well.

You have recently been touring Europe and North America tell us what you have been promoting and what response have you received?

I always promote peace and harmony through my interviews, concerts, videos and my music. In 2008, it was promoted through the new album ‘Najam’.
What projects or albums are you currently working on?
I am working on launching an antiwar campaign worldwide with my first English single 'Only Love'.
Pakistan has come a long way in music, where do you see Pakistani music in the next ten years?

I forsee the Pakistani music industry dying badly if we don't muster up all that we have, which includes our advertising industry, corporate sponsors and satellite channels. We’ll have to do this or we’ll just become a market for the Indian and the International market.

Pakistan has produced many great singers, who in your opinion is the best and why?


My criteria of best is way too high than the local standards, so I won’t answer that, but all have worked very hard, especially those who have sustained from the 90's without the support of the Indian media. The Indian film industry can make you a star in one day, but to sustain more than a decade, you need to be constantly growing and strong.
Besides music what are you interests and hobbies?
I study comparative religions, explore different cities and people. I also voluntarily work for a great platform known as www.arrahman-arraheem.com, and have been awarded congressional recognition twice. I like to watch movies as well…
What advice would you give to the youngsters who want to follow in your footsteps?

Be honest with your job, and deliver 100%. Keep your standards high and think of ways to contribute to society and Pakistan.
Lastly your message to the reader of The Saturday Post?

If you don't support goodness, you already have supported evil; so each and everyone of us is responsible to counter the evil and the biggest evil of this time is corruption and war, both of which are interrelated. Let’s unite our spirits and efforts, only love can break the chains, only love can save the day. Do you believe what I believe…
- The Saturday Post

BBC Asian Network program GAGAN GREWAL has singer, composer, producer Najam Sheraz as celebrity guest this week.

Pakistani Pop star Najam Sheraz will be the featured guest on the popular BBC radio program, GAGAN GREWAL, which airs Wednesday February 4 from 6:30 PM to 8PM.

Najam’s interview, along with music played from his current hit album NAJAM, will be from 7PM – 8PM UK time; 2PM – 3PM East Coast U.S. time; 12 AM – 1 AM PK time.

GAGAN GREWAL airs weeknights on BBC Asian Network, a national digital BBC radio station, focusing on playing the best of British Asian music and covering British Asian issues. The show presents music, news, entertainment and celebrity chat in Hindi-Urdu and English.

Fans can listen to the show live online:

www.bbc.co.uk/asiannetwork/gagan_grewal/

E-mail questions for Najam to gagan.grewal@bbc.co.uk or text 81869.

Call in questions: +44 08459 440 445.

Najam Sheraz’s interview will be archived on the website for 8 days.

With ten albums and nine number one singles in his career, including the monster hit song, “Bheegay Hont Tere” for the Bollywood film MURDER, Najam Sheraz’s international status has taken him through Asia, Europe and the U.S. as a goodwill representative for his native Pakistan. His all-English peace anthem “Only Love” has been presented to the Global Peace and Unity Event at London’s Excel, the World Peace For Life concert in Hollywood, where he became the first ever Pakistani artist to perform at LA Convention Center, and at the Olympic Torch Relay Ceremonies for the 2008 Beijing Games at Islamabad Stadium.

Najam’s current single and music video in Pakistan is “Dil Tumhara Bhi Hae”; both the record and the video were produced in London. This past November, he completed filming on a video supporting his song “Jaa Re Jaa”, which was shot entirely on location in Eastbourne, just south of London and directed by British film director Bryan Thompson.

The 2009 NOT WAR, ONLY LOVE Tour will take Najam through South Asia, Europe and North America starting in April.

Janet Goodman Publicity and Booking
Miami, Florida, USA
www.myspace.com/najamsheraz
www.sonicbids.com/najamsheraz
www.mogulus.com/najamwebtv
- BBC

Janet Goodman Publicity and Booking
Press Release


(The Stamford Advocate, a major Connecticut newspaper in the U.S., ran a portion of journalist Malerie Yolen-Cohen’s essay on Pakistani Pop star Najam Sheraz in her religion column, Synagogue and Beyond, on February 7, 2009. Here is the original column, with the headline “Muslim Singer is Striving for Peace”, in its entirety.)



Stamford Advocate SYNAGOGUE AND BEYOND, a column by Malerie Yolen-Cohen

February 7, 2009



MUSLIM SINGER IS STRIVING FOR PEACE



Mix together the sexy charisma of Tom Jones, the earnest crooning of Yanni, the peacenik strivings of John Lennon, throw in a little Praise the Lord, add clear-eyed tackling of taboo social issues and you’ve got Pakistani singing star, Najam Sheraz.



Why am I writing about this Muslim guy in my Jewish column, you might ask? Because, frankly, for the moment, at least, I’m really tired of death and destruction, racial slurs and hatred. So for now I’d like to focus on something good; and in this case it’s a world-wise Muslim with a platform to denounce extremism and promote peaceful thinking.



I first learned of Najam through my High School pal, Janet Goodman, who writes country music and acts as Sheraz’s publicist. “He’s trying to change the world,” she told me. “Not too grand a goal” I thought, I’ll admit, quite sarcastically.



Janet, who lives in Florida, met Najam who hails from Karachi, in that international melting-pot called MySpace. “He wrote that my Christmas song made him cry,” Janet told me. “And I was intrigued. A Christmas song made a Muslim cry?”



Janet began to research Najam Sheraz and discovered that he wasn’t just a moony-eyed fan commenting from some war-torn country. He was actually a household name in Pakistan and India – who has managed to make music across every genre. With his roots in rock and pop, Sheraz crossed over into religious compositions (his Hamds – or liturgical songs – have sold millions) and official State music (his is the version of Pakistan’s National Anthem now in use).



Sheraz is not afraid of controversy, either; he was one of several Pakistani citizens interviewed for the 2005 BBC documentary, The Battle For Islam – how Muslims in 5 countries are trying to win back the soul of Islam from extremists. And a music video made from his new album, “Najam” that depicts teen pregnancy and domestic abuse has created awareness of these issues and is forcing open discussion. (“Despite all of his other achievements,” Janet said, “this is what the talks show hosts want to ask him about.”).



But it is his quest for tolerance, dialog, respect and yes, love, that caught my interest. “Fire can burn or fire can provide light – it is up to us how to use it,” he states on his MySpace page. To this end, he co-wrote and performs in English his peace anthem - “Only Love” – a sort of “Imagine” for the religious set.



Only Love – which exhorts listeners to “forget the past; lets give each other a chance; only love can break the chains” – was performed on April 16th, when the Olympic Torch passed through Islamabad. He sang it again in June at the Los Angeles Convention Center for the 2008 World Peace for Life Concert, urging his audience to know how important it is that we relate on all different levels; spiritually, socially and intellectually. And he was one of the most popular performers in London for the October 25th and 26th 2008 Global Peace and Unity Event, drawing a crowd of 21,000. “The East London crowd was mostly Arab, and when I finished singing, each and every hand was in the air to show the support,” Sheraz wrote to me.



How can Sheraz be so outspoken in such a closed society? I asked Janet. “His religious CD’s are hits and his voice is on the National Anthem, so I think he can get away with things that others might not,” she surmised.



For his part, Sheraz is launching no less than a “No War, Only Love” tour with his song Only Love as anthem, and plans to perform it in both the Western and Eastern worlds in Spring 2009. “My Western friends feel scared of the Muslim culture and Pakistan and have loads of misconceptions,” Najam emailed to me. “Because of the war, the distance has increased a lot between the two, if not physically surely mentally. There are 170 million Pakistanis – the majority want to live in peace.”



As much as I’d like the Only Love movement to short-circuit hatred around the world, I know it’s rather a naive kumbayaish aspiration. “I want your idea to work,” I wrote to Najam, “snowball, go-viral on YouTube, change the world. You have your heart in the right place and my only hope is that it inspires others.”



“Changing the world is not the motive, but to do the right thing with the best of your capability and promote the goodness is the motive,” a humble Najam returned.



I can only say, “from his mouth to G-d’s ears.”

- Stamford Advocate