Dua Lipa

Dua Lipa is a British singer, songwriter, and model of Kosovar Albanian descent, born on August 22, 1995, in London, England. While she herself is not a Muslim, her parents are of Kosovar Albanian Muslim heritage.

Lipa began her music career by posting covers of songs on YouTube and gained attention for her unique voice and style. In 2017, Lipa released her self-titled debut album, which featured hits like “New Rules” and “IDGAF.” The album received critical acclaim and established Lipa as a rising star in the music industry. She won several awards, including two Grammy Awards for Best New Artist and Best Dance Recording.

Lipa’s success as a prominent figure of Kosovar Albanian heritage in the global entertainment industry serves as a source of inspiration and pride for many Muslims, particularly those from Kosovo and the Balkans. She has also used her platform to raise awareness of social and political issues, including advocating for the rights of refugees and immigrants, which may resonate with Muslim communities around the world.

Kulyash Baiseitova

Kulyash Baiseitova was a renowned Kazakh singer and honored artist of Kazakhstan, born on December 12, 1924, in the village of Tashkumyr, Kazakhstan. She is celebrated for her significant contributions to Kazakh music and culture, particularly in the realm of traditional Kazakh music and Islamic heritage.

Throughout her career, Baiseitova performed and popularized traditional Kazakh songs, including qaraqat, zhyr, and kuis, showcasing the richness and diversity of Kazakh musical traditions. She was known for her ability to evoke the spirit and essence of Kazakh culture through her music, capturing the hearts of audiences both in Kazakhstan and abroad.

Baiseitova’s impact on Muslim history is evident in her preservation and promotion of Islamic heritage through her music. Many of her songs were inspired by Islamic themes, including devotion, spirituality, and love for the Divine. Through her performances, she helped preserve and propagate the cultural and religious heritage of the Kazakh Muslim community, contributing to the continuity and vitality of Islamic traditions in Kazakhstan.

Hamdija Kreševljaković

Hamdija Kreševljaković was a prominent Bosnian Muslim historian and academic born on September 14, 1888, in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, which was then part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. 

Throughout his career, Kreševljaković wrote over 300 scientific papers on the history of the Scientific Society of BiH. 

Kreševljaković’s impact on Muslim history lies in his role as a leading intellectual figure in Bosnia during the early 20th century. He played a significant role in shaping the intellectual discourse of his time. His writings continue to be studied and appreciated for their insights into Islamic and cultural history of Bosnia and Herzegovina. 

Arooj Aftab

Arooj Aftab is a Pakistani singer, composer, and musician. Aftab was born in Saudi Arabia to Pakistani parents, but later moved to Pakistan and then the United States to pursue her musical career further.

Her career began with studying Eastern classical music, particularly the ghazal, thumri, and khyal. Aftab’s music meshes several genres seamlessly, incorporating classical Pakistani and Sufi music with influences from jazz, folk, and electronic music.

In 2021, Aftab gained widespread recognition with her album “Vulture Prince” which received critical acclaim and earned her a Grammy nomination for Best Global Music Performance for her song “Mohabbat.” 

Aftab represents a new generation of Muslim artists who are redefining traditional musical boundaries and reclaiming cultural heritage in the global music scene. She is breaking stereotypes and showcasing the richness and diversity of Muslim musical traditions on the world stage.

Shah Rukh Khan

Shah Rukh Khan, often referred to as the “King of Bollywood,” is one of India’s most iconic actors, producers, and philanthropists. Khan was born in New Delhi to a Muslim family of Pathan descent.

His acting career began in the late 1980s with appearances in television series and made his Bollywood debut in 1992 with the film “Deewana.” However, it was his breakthrough role in “Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge” (1995) that catapulted him to superstardom. 

Khan serves as a prominent figure who has broken barriers and shattered stereotypes in the Indian film industry. He is one of the most successful and influential Muslim actors in Bollywood. 

In 2013, Khan founded The Meer Foundation, a non-profit organization named after his father, Mir Taj Mohammed Khan. It focuses on several humanitarian causes: support for acid attack survivors, women’s empowerment programs, healthcare initiatives, child welfare programs, and disaster relief efforts.

Amir Khusrow

Amir Khusrow, also known as Abu’l Hasan Yamīn ud-Dīn Khusrau (1253-1325), was a Persian poet, scholar, and musician from Patiyali, in present-day Uttar Pradesh, India.

His literary contributions include ghazals, masnavis, and qawwalis. Khusrow is also credited with inventing the sitar.

Khusrow served several rulers, particularly during the reigns of Sultan Balban and his successors, as a court poet but also in administrative and military roles. He played a large part in developing early Urdu literature and the fusion of Persian and Indian musical traditions. His music and work is still sung and celebrated widely across the Indian subcontinent.