Islamic Relief Brings 'Evening of Inspiration' Benefit Concert Tour to Four U.S. Cities; Proceeds Will Benefit Needy Children

Islamic Relief Brings 'Evening of Inspiration' Benefit Concert Tour to Four U.S. Cities; Proceeds Will Benefit Needy Children

BUENA PARK, Calif., July 19 /PRNewswire/ -- Islamic Relief is bringing the highly popular "Evening of Inspiration" benefit concert to the United States for the first time, after holding it for the third straight year in the United Kingdom and selling out in all six venues. The US concerts will tour in Dallas, New Jersey, Detroit, and Los Angeles from July 27 to August 6, 2006.

The "Evening of Inspiration" will showcase some of the world's leading performers of Islamic cultural entertainment. All concert proceeds will benefit Islamic Relief's projects aimed at aiding children around the world, including orphans.

Headliners include British singing sensation Sami Yusuf and the Maryland-based group Native Dean. Yusuf has fast become the leading Islamic singer in Europe, the Middle East and United States. Yusuf's first album has sold over 1 million copies and his music videos have topped the charts on Middle East satellite channels. His concerts in Belgium and Germany have attracted 30,000 and 12,000 fans, respectively.

New York Public Radio, WNYC, has said: "Muslim trio Native Deen stay away from bad words, dress conservatively, and regularly exhort listeners to prayer... It's all part of being black and Muslim in the United States, they say -- and like Christian rock did a decade ago, they are finding their niche."

SHAMSUL's STORY: Orphaned ... But Not Alone

Four-year old Shamsul Rehman lost everything -- his mother, father, and home -- in last October's South Asia earthquake.

Shamsul now lives in a refugee camp and is one of many orphans sponsored by Islamic Relief. Nothing can replace the tremendous loss Shamsul and many other children like him experienced, but hopefully the sponsorship will go some way to help rebuild his life.

The concerts aim to raise funds to help children like Shamsul and the over 16,000 other orphans that Islamic Relief supports.

Media professionals may contact Islamic Relief for possible feature stories, interviews with the performers, or other requests.

WHAT:
"Evening of Inspiration" concert series to benefit children

WHEN:
July 27 - August 6, 2006

WHERE:
Dallas
New Jersey
Detroit
Los Angeles

Media Contact:

Mostafa Mahboob
Islamic Relief
mostafa@irw.org
(714) 676-1300 office

Source: Islamic Relief

CONTACT: Mostafa Mahboob of Islamic Relief, +1-714-676-1300, or mobile,
+1-310-351-0952, mostafa@irw.org

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