Bridgizz

Muslim Country and Western Singer Set to Tour Europe

Kareem Salama gives all-American country music an Eastern twang

Amsterdam– Kareem Salama, the first Muslim Country and Western sensation to storm America, is due to begin his first European tour this July, starting in London.
Already a big hit in the States, Bridgizz has invited Kareem Salama to perform in Pradiso Amsterdam on the 11th of July. This event is organised in cooperation with Marmoucha and supported by the American Embassy the Hague.

Many consider Kareem somewhat unusual in the country music scene, given his ethnic background and Islamic faith, especially in post-9/11 America. But Kareem draws inspiration from his multicultural upbringing, to create music that is reflective of America’s ideologies of cultural diversity.

Kareem’s music is essentially country/western, but he also fuses poetic Sufism, as well as other musical elements including pop, rock and folk. He also writes his own songs, which convey universal moral messages of love, relationships and family values.

Kareem Salama says: “I've just always found expressing myself through songs a soothing and cathartic practice. But a series of events has led me to this endeavour. I don’t presume to make any grandiose statements about how my music will change the industry or change the world.

“My hope is that my words will fall upon ears and hearts that may be seeking the same thing I am seeking…the inspiration to live a virtuous life that is pleasing to God.”

Born and raised in Oklahoma, America, Kareem is of Egyptian descent and was immersed into the American culture as a child. His open-minded and exploratory parents took him and his siblings to watch live country music shows, local cowboy rodeos and even took them Opryland Theme Park, which was inspired by the infamous Grand Ole Opry country radio show in Nashville, Tennessee.

Despite being brought up in all-American surroundings, Kareem and his family didn’t compromise on their faith or heritage, but instead became exemplary of multicultural America by balancing the two cultures with respect for both.

With two albums already under his belt, This Life of Mine (2007) and Generous Peace (2006), Kareem will be singing tracks from both on his tour.
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Notes to the editor

• Kareem Salama is 30-years-old and was born in Ponca City, Oklahoma and currently resides in Richmond, Texas

• Kareem cites legends like Garth Brooks and John Denver amongst his favourite artists, as well as Tim McGraw, Andy Griggs, Goo Goo Dolls and The Fray

• Kareem has a degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Oklahoma and a Law degree from the University of Iowa and has studied Arabic poetry

• Kareem was an amateur boxer

• Kareem is being taken on tour by the American Embassy and Mumbai Rouge. He has previously performed at the Royal Albert Hall and across America including LA, Atlanta, San Francisco, Chicago and Philadelphia

• www.kareemsalama.com

For more information concerning his performance in Paradiso on the 11th of July you can call check www.paradiso.nl

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