HADDAD ALWI IN ACTION

"HADDAD ALWI BIOGRAPHY" Born on March 13, 37 years ago. Nobody would've expected, not even his loving parents that the son they named Haddad Alwi Assegaf will be known and loved by the hundreds of millions, even beyond national boundaries. The expression of love and longing for his Lord and His Prophet, Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala and Rasulullah Shollollohu 'Alaihi wa Alihi Wa sallam, sung in ten different albums between 1997-2003 has sown an intricate bond of love among the people. Different people call him different names, from those that call him Kak ("brother") Haddad, Habib Haddad, referring to his blood line that goes all the way back to the Holy Prophet. Others refer to him as Mas Haddad, according to his native land in Central Java, Bang Haddad in Eastern Indonesia and Ustadz Haddad to those that regard him as a teacher of love and longing for the Messenger. Every day of the year, letters poured in from all corners of the world. Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, Egypt, Turkey, Iran, Lebanon, other countries in the Gulf and even a visit from the United States. The conflict ridden world, it seems, begins to realize its thirst for Love after being sidelined for much too long. Love of God, Love of the Prophet and Love for others has been a culture in the family's strong tradition of Islam. Even before he was born, ummiy - that's how he call for his beloved mother - was known to recite sholawat (songs of poetry, praise of the Lord and the Prophet). It seems that the experience was then permanently inscribed in the heart of the youngest son. leading him to the path of his life as he is these days... a romantic path of passionate love and longing, reflected in the tone of his voice. Yet, nothing too special was apparent in his life. Dropped out of school and several attempts at being a local merchant. It begins with whatever capital he managed to put together, and ends with running out of them. To begin with no starting capital, put him in debt. Wrong turn, apparently. Then he discovered and pursued the calling of his heart. You might as well try and listen to how Haddad would recite the lines of Love, see if you feel the same thing in your heart. If only you have one..