Kadhem As-Saher Full Biography
Last Updated on Monday, 23 February 2009 00:50
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Patriotic Kadhem & Charity:
"I have no political opinions whatsoever. Please don't ask me about politics," Kadhem explains, "I don't like to talk about these things. Ask me about my humanity, my duties toward my people and the children of my country."
Kadhem has always been the benevolent son of Iraq. The country that undergoes the hardest circumstances in the Arab world since over 15 years is such carved in As-Saher's heart that the pain it suffers is evidently seen on his face.
Since his early career, As-Saher has been singing for his dear country so truthfully, eloquently and intensely:
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Under the embargo he both addressed the Arab & International conscience calling for an end to the suffering of Iraqi People and especially children who died in thousands due to the lack in food and medicine. This was in his two songs "Aah Ya Arab" (Oh Arabs) and "Tathakkar" (Memory). Kadhem received the UNICEF award in England for this song and in 1999, he performed the song in the United States before members of congress and UN diplomats. "Tathakkar" was then recorded in five languages and released along with "Al Amal" (Hope), Kadhem's anthem to optimism in the face of turmoil.
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When American Invasion of Iraq started, he hastily composed an anti-war anthem "Baghdad La Tata'alami" (Baghdad, Don't Be Hurt!" written by notable Egyptian poet Farouq Guweida and presented it in collaboration with some prominent Arab singers from Egypt, Syria, Tunisia, Jordan & Algeria.
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After war came to an end, Kadhem featured a duet with Grammy Winner, British soprano Sarah Brightman in "The War Is Over" singing English lyrics with her in addition to the Arabic part written by his career mate creative poet Kareem Al-Iraqi and composed by Kadhem as usual.
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Later on, this time with delicate Iraqi poet As'ad Al-Ghariri, Kadhem composed and sang a proposed national anthem for Iraq called "Salamun 'Alayka" (Peace Be Upon You) combining the traditional anthem atmosphere with very touching lyrics about Iraq's history and glory.
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Next when US crimes against Iraqi civilians escalated, Kadhem presented one of his eternal patriotic songs ever, "Ar-Ru'ah Wa An-Nar" (literally: Herdsmen & Fire) written by Prince Muhammad Bin Rashed Aal Maktoum, Governor of Dubai and composed by Kadhem. The song was such a clear criticism of the US occupation and crimes as well as Arab silence and it flagrantly called for resistance to the occupation forces and the freedom of Iraq, and thus not only flared up the Americans but even was regarded by some Iraqi sects and individuals, even from Kadhem fans, to be a call for terrorism and they called for boycotting the song if not boycotting Kadhem as a whole. In fact the message was clear, which is to free Iraq from occupiers but seems some pre-made concepts and circumstances helped distort such a message in the mind of some Iraqis.
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Following this controversial song, Kadhem performed for the first time a song called "Ta'alay Uqabbil Wajahaki" (Let Me Kiss Your Face) on stage in Doha in the framework of Al-Jazeera Channel Anniversary festival. This song is like a soothing anthem from Kadhem to his country suffering devastation and turmoil, but it also contains direct criticism of US aggression and inhumanity in Iraq that again infuriated US diplomats especially the US ambassador in Cairo who attended Kadhem latest concert there and was reported to have resented and probably left after Kadhem presented this song.
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The latest and perhaps the greatest patriotic work for Kadhem was released in his latest album "Yawmiyyat Rajul Mahzoom" in 2007. The song is a true epic masterpiece representing the recent tragedy of Iraq in so eloquent and touching lyrics by creative Kareem Al-Iraqi who excelled himself in this poem. Kadhem's composition coated words in an unbelievable way that it astonishes everyone who listens to it and the arrangement was just what is needed to accomplish the epic, which really happened.
Away from singing, Kadhem is always giving concrete support to his people and Middle East people especially children:
On the Arab level, Kadhem always proves to be a real patriotic Arab artist, not only he sings for every Arab country he performs in or includes the suffering of Arab children in his charity schedule but he usually has direct instances of supporting Arab people:
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When war erupted in Lebanon in 2006, Kadhem decided to cancel all his worldwide concerts that summer in solidarity with the Lebanon, made a song against the Israeli aggression called "Mawwal Beirut" and donated to distressed Lebanese citizens and the donation was submitted by the Organization of the Charity Fund he established to the Lebanese embassy in Baghdad.
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Kadhem made a song for the Arab countries under embargo and wars; Palestine, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon & Libya "Al- Insan" (The Human). The song was written by great Nizar Qabbani and composed by Kadhem and was a duet with famous Tunisian singer Latifa. Kadhem performed the song with her in the charity concert at the Royal Albert Hall in 1997 in the presence of Princess Anne.
Religious Songs:
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Kadhem presented two sufi religious songs at Fas Spiritual Song Festival in Morocco 2005. The songs "Munyat Al-Mutamanni" (The Dearest Wish) & "Ra'ytu Rabbi" (Perceived My God) are written by old sufi poet Al-Hallaj and composed by Kadhem.
Still Kadhem's audience is so eager to see more religious songs with clear meanings directing simple audience as this kind of songs or rather supplications is so popular for Muslims listeners in the Arab World especially when truthfully sung, which is Kadhem's ever-exhibited merit.
We welcome your comments and thoughts here to improve the above
Big thank you to Muhammad Zahra (AKA Laureate_Kazem)
