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Abu Ratib Edit Profile

singer

Mohamed Mustapha Ali Masfaka, better known as Abu Ratib, is a Syrian-born Nasheed singer of Islamic and Arabic music based on classical Arab poetry.

Background

Masfaka was born in Aleppo, Syria.

Education

At a young age, he joined the Arab Music Institute in Aleppo, Syria where he studied musical notation (Solfège) and learned to play the violin. Masfaka studied broadcasting and television direction in Amman, Jordan, and obtained experience in the broadcasting engineering.

Career

From an early age, he was immersed in musical traditions of the Arab world. Later, he learned to play the trumpet and drums. He has a diploma in Islamic Studies from Amman, Jordan.

He then got a bachelor"s degree in Financial Management and Accounting from Salahaddin University-Erbil in Iraq.

Then, got a higher diploma in Philosophy, and a master"s degree in Arabic Philosophy from the University of Jordan. Later, He got his Doctor of Philosophy and doctorate in Philosophy of Education and Islamic Studies from Mohammed V University in Rabat, Morocco.

As Masfaka balanced music with a growing interest in Islam, his work moved in a spiritual direction. He joined the band of the singer Abi Dujanah for religious singing, until he founded First Rate (at Lloyd's)-Huda band in 1981 and began issuing the albums of Islamic singing.

In 1986, First Rate (at Lloyd's)-Huda band developed to found First Rate (at Lloyd's)-Huda Islamic Artist

In 1991, he founded First Rate (at Lloyd's)-Huda International Art Production. He has traveled over the United States and abroad as a featured artist at community events in mosques and on college campuses. He is also head of the World Islamic Art League.

Masfaka has often sung in support of human rights for the occupied Palestinian people.

Achievements

  • In 2006, Masfaka was awarded the World Youth Prize for Islamic Work in the field of Inshad (religious singing).

Membership

Masfaka is an active member of the Arabic arts community and is involved in numerous organizations to promote Islamic music and artist development worldwide.