Raihan
Encyclopedia
Raihan is a Malaysian nasheed group originally composing of five members that took Malaysia by storm with the release of their debut album Puji-Pujian in October 1996. The group's original lineup comprised Nazrey Johani, Che Amran Idris, Abu Bakar Md Yatim, Amran Ibrahim, and Azhari Ahmad as the leader. Produced by Farihin Abdul Fattah, Puji-Pujian, Raihan's very first album, grossed sales of more than 750,000 units in Malaysia alone, with 200,000 units sold within the first 2 months after its launch, and 3,500,000 units have been sold worldwide which make them the most successful Malaysian artist in terms of album sales.
However, on 29 August 2001, one of the founding members, Azhari Ahmad, died of a myocardial infarction or heart attack shortly after attending the Era Awards ceremony in Genting Highlands
, Pahang
.
The remaining four members, Nazrey Johani, Che Amran Idris, Abu Bakar Md Yatim and Amran Ibrahim have continued releasing album after album. So far, Raihan has released a total of 11 albums and has won many awards in Malaysia. To date, Raihan has won AIM Anugerah Kembara three times for their extensive international tours.
Nazrey Johani recently resigned from Raihan and was replaced by Nordin Jaafar. However, in early January 2007, Nordin Jaafar himself resigned from Raihan[1]. He was replaced by Zulfadli Bin Mustaza[2].
Raihan's motto is 'Pray Hard, Work Smart'.
in Edinburgh
where they also received an honorary letter from Prince Charles for their performance in Commonwealth in Concert. Following that year, they were given the chance to meet the Queen themselves during her visit to Malaysia in 1998 for the 1998 Commonwealth Games
in Kuala Lumpur
.
after Siti Nurhaliza
and late Sudirman Arshad
and the first artist to perform for the second time in 2008 for Evening of Inspiration for Islamic Relief UK where they also have launched their twelfth album, Selawat for the celebration of Mawlid
in the very same hall. In 2004, they had a large tour in France covering seven cities : Bordeaux
, Marseille
, Nantes
, Strasbourg
, Lille
, Lyon
and Paris. They also had done a road tour in United Kingdom in cities like Glasgow
, Edinburgh
, Manchester
, Birmingham
, Cardiff
, Bristol
and Wembley
. On July 16, 2005, they have been invited to perform at Paramount Wonderland in Toronto
to entertain Muslims visitors. So far they have performed : Australia, Canada, China, France, Great Britain, Hong Kong
, Indonesia
, Ireland, Kuwait
, Russia, Singapore
, Saudi Arabia
, South Africa, Thailand
, Trinidad & Tobago and United States. By the year 2005, they have done concerts in Indonesia for more than ten times, Thailand for six times, United Kingdom for four times and South Africa for three times.
Anugerah Industri Muzik (Music Industry Awards)
However, on 29 August 2001, one of the founding members, Azhari Ahmad, died of a myocardial infarction or heart attack shortly after attending the Era Awards ceremony in Genting Highlands
Genting Highlands
Genting Highlands otherwise known as Resorts World Genting is the flagship integrated resort developed by Genting Group. It is nestled on a mountain peak within the Titiwangsa Mountains on the border between the states of Pahang and Selangor of Malaysia...
, Pahang
Pahang
Pahang is the third largest state in Malaysia, after Sarawak and Sabah, occupying the huge Pahang River river basin. It is bordered to the north by Kelantan, to the west by Perak, Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, to the south by Johor and to the east by Terengganu and the South China Sea.Its state...
.
The remaining four members, Nazrey Johani, Che Amran Idris, Abu Bakar Md Yatim and Amran Ibrahim have continued releasing album after album. So far, Raihan has released a total of 11 albums and has won many awards in Malaysia. To date, Raihan has won AIM Anugerah Kembara three times for their extensive international tours.
Nazrey Johani recently resigned from Raihan and was replaced by Nordin Jaafar. However, in early January 2007, Nordin Jaafar himself resigned from Raihan[1]. He was replaced by Zulfadli Bin Mustaza[2].
Raihan's motto is 'Pray Hard, Work Smart'.
International performances
In 1997, they were invited by Queen Elizabeth II to perform at Commonwealth Heads of Government MeetingCommonwealth Heads of Government Meeting
The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, , is a biennial summit meeting of the heads of government from all Commonwealth nations. Every two years the meeting is held in a different member state, and is chaired by that nation's respective Prime Minister or President, who becomes the...
in Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
where they also received an honorary letter from Prince Charles for their performance in Commonwealth in Concert. Following that year, they were given the chance to meet the Queen themselves during her visit to Malaysia in 1998 for the 1998 Commonwealth Games
1998 Commonwealth Games
The 1998 XVI Commonwealth Games were held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from 11 September to 21 September 1998 making it the first Asian country to act as host and the last Commonwealth Games for the 20th century. A record 70 nations supplied 3638 athletes...
in Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur is the capital and the second largest city in Malaysia by population. The city proper, making up an area of , has a population of 1.4 million as of 2010. Greater Kuala Lumpur, also known as the Klang Valley, is an urban agglomeration of 7.2 million...
.
Platinum status
Raihan is one of the most successful artists in Malaysia, where their debut album, Puji-Pujian is the highest selling album in Malaysia with a total sale of 3,500,000 units thus gaining 12 times Platinum status and Double Platinum in Singapore. Their albums were also well-received by the neighbouring country, Indonesia where their fourth album, Koleksi Nasyid Terbaik was sold more than 200,000 units and their tenth album, Bacalah was sold more than 70,000 units in Indonesian market.World tour
Raihan is the third Malaysian artists to perform at the Royal Albert HallRoyal Albert Hall
The Royal Albert Hall is a concert hall situated on the northern edge of the South Kensington area, in the City of Westminster, London, England, best known for holding the annual summer Proms concerts since 1941....
after Siti Nurhaliza
Siti Nurhaliza
Dato', or occasionally Datin Seri, Siti Nurhaliza binti Tarudin DIMP, JSM, SAP, PMP, AAP is a Malaysian singer, songwriter, record producer, television presenter and businesswoman. To date, she has garnered more than 200 local awards as well as international awards...
and late Sudirman Arshad
Sudirman Arshad
Dato' Sudirman Haji Arshad DIMP, JMN, AMN, AMP was a Malaysian singer and songwriter. He was known as the 'Singing Lawyer', the 'People's Singer' and the 'Elvis of Malaysia'.-Early life:...
and the first artist to perform for the second time in 2008 for Evening of Inspiration for Islamic Relief UK where they also have launched their twelfth album, Selawat for the celebration of Mawlid
Mawlid
Mawlid or sometimes ميلاد , mīlād is a term used to refer to the observance of the birthday of the Islamic prophet Muhammad which occurs in Rabi' al-awwal,...
in the very same hall. In 2004, they had a large tour in France covering seven cities : Bordeaux
Bordeaux
Bordeaux is a port city on the Garonne River in the Gironde department in southwestern France.The Bordeaux-Arcachon-Libourne metropolitan area, has a population of 1,010,000 and constitutes the sixth-largest urban area in France. It is the capital of the Aquitaine region, as well as the prefecture...
, Marseille
Marseille
Marseille , known in antiquity as Massalia , is the second largest city in France, after Paris, with a population of 852,395 within its administrative limits on a land area of . The urban area of Marseille extends beyond the city limits with a population of over 1,420,000 on an area of...
, Nantes
Nantes
Nantes is a city in western France, located on the Loire River, from the Atlantic coast. The city is the 6th largest in France, while its metropolitan area ranks 8th with over 800,000 inhabitants....
, Strasbourg
Strasbourg
Strasbourg is the capital and principal city of the Alsace region in eastern France and is the official seat of the European Parliament. Located close to the border with Germany, it is the capital of the Bas-Rhin département. The city and the region of Alsace are historically German-speaking,...
, Lille
Lille
Lille is a city in northern France . It is the principal city of the Lille Métropole, the fourth-largest metropolitan area in the country behind those of Paris, Lyon and Marseille. Lille is situated on the Deûle River, near France's border with Belgium...
, Lyon
Lyon
Lyon , is a city in east-central France in the Rhône-Alpes region, situated between Paris and Marseille. Lyon is located at from Paris, from Marseille, from Geneva, from Turin, and from Barcelona. The residents of the city are called Lyonnais....
and Paris. They also had done a road tour in United Kingdom in cities like Glasgow
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
, Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
, Manchester
Manchester
Manchester is a city and metropolitan borough in Greater Manchester, England. According to the Office for National Statistics, the 2010 mid-year population estimate for Manchester was 498,800. Manchester lies within one of the UK's largest metropolitan areas, the metropolitan county of Greater...
, Birmingham
Birmingham
Birmingham is a city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands of England. It is the most populous British city outside the capital London, with a population of 1,036,900 , and lies at the heart of the West Midlands conurbation, the second most populous urban area in the United Kingdom with a...
, Cardiff
Cardiff
Cardiff is the capital, largest city and most populous county of Wales and the 10th largest city in the United Kingdom. The city is Wales' chief commercial centre, the base for most national cultural and sporting institutions, the Welsh national media, and the seat of the National Assembly for...
, Bristol
Bristol
Bristol is a city, unitary authority area and ceremonial county in South West England, with an estimated population of 433,100 for the unitary authority in 2009, and a surrounding Larger Urban Zone with an estimated 1,070,000 residents in 2007...
and Wembley
Wembley
Wembley is an area of northwest London, England, and part of the London Borough of Brent. It is home to the famous Wembley Stadium and Wembley Arena...
. On July 16, 2005, they have been invited to perform at Paramount Wonderland in Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
to entertain Muslims visitors. So far they have performed : Australia, Canada, China, France, Great Britain, Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
, Indonesia
Indonesia
Indonesia , officially the Republic of Indonesia , is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania. Indonesia is an archipelago comprising approximately 13,000 islands. It has 33 provinces with over 238 million people, and is the world's fourth most populous country. Indonesia is a republic, with an...
, Ireland, Kuwait
Kuwait
The State of Kuwait is a sovereign Arab state situated in the north-east of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia. It is bordered by Saudi Arabia to the south at Khafji, and Iraq to the north at Basra. It lies on the north-western shore of the Persian Gulf. The name Kuwait is derived from the...
, Russia, Singapore
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
, Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia , commonly known in British English as Saudi Arabia and in Arabic as as-Sa‘ūdiyyah , is the largest state in Western Asia by land area, constituting the bulk of the Arabian Peninsula, and the second-largest in the Arab World...
, South Africa, Thailand
Thailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
, Trinidad & Tobago and United States. By the year 2005, they have done concerts in Indonesia for more than ten times, Thailand for six times, United Kingdom for four times and South Africa for three times.
International Tours
- Singapore Indoor Stadium (Debut Live Concert)
- Commonwealth Conference in Edinburgh (1997)
- Manchester, Glasgow, Birmingham and Bristol (UK)
- Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg (South Africa)
- Russia
- Trinidad & Tobago
- Canada
- Indonesia
- Thailand
Awards
- Malaysia's best selling album ever (PUJI-PUJIAN – 1.5Mil units) and total album sales of 3.5 million units
- Mahabbah award in Dubai (2006)
- Malaysian Book Of Records’ Fastest Selling Album (Jan 1997)
Anugerah Industri Muzik (Music Industry Awards)
- Best New Group (1998)
- Best Nasyid Album (Puji-Pujian) (1998)
- Best Album (Puji-Pujian) (1998)
- Kembara (Explorer) Award (1998)
- Best Duo/Group Vocal Performance In An Album (Syukur) (1999)
- Best Nasyid Album (Syukur) (1999)
- Best Duo/Group Vocal Performance In An Album (Senyum) (2000)
- Best Nasyid Album (Senyum) (2000)
- Kembara (Explorer) Award (2001)
- Best Duo/Group Vocal Performance In An Album (Demi Masa) (2002)
- Best Nasyid Album (Gema Alam) (2004)
- Best Duo/Group Vocal Performance In An Album (Allahu) (2005)
- Best Nasyid Album (Allahu) (2005)
- Best Nasyid Album (Ameen) (2006)
- Kembara (Explorer) Award (2006)
- Best Nasyid Album (Tawakkal) (2007)
External links
- Official website
- Preview Raihan's Hit Debut Album, 'Puji-Pujian'
- Preview Raihan's Hit Album, 'Syukur' which includes Yusuf IslamCat StevensYusuf Islam , commonly known by his former stage name Cat Stevens, is an English singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, educator, philanthropist, and prominent convert to Islam....
(formerly known as Cat Stevens) singing "God is the Light"