From Fox, with thanks to Richard:
LONDON — It's not as if her look or her act are that shocking, but her moves have brought the wrath of Islamic fundamentalists upon her.Deepika Thathaal, or Deeyah, was born in Norway of mixed Asian roots. Her father got her into music and has supported her throughout her career. All was going well until she dared to show a little skin — and that’s when the threats started.
"I would get very abusive phone calls," she said. "I would get abused as I walked down the street. I would have people spit at me."
At a concert in Norway, she was attacked on stage by angry Muslim men who thought she was degrading their culture.
Read more about it here:
http://fomi.ytring.dk/English/News.htm
The “Muslim Madonna”
Fled Norway for the UK: Still Threatened by Muslims
(Translated summar from VG January 19, 2005) In 1996 Norwegian Pakistani Deepika moved from Oslo to London after being threatened by muslims in Norway. Now she is being threatened by muslims in the British capital as well. She changed her artist name from Deepika to Deeyah, and her first British single “Plan of My Own” / “I Saw You” is due to be released in the UK on January 31. The Sunday Times has already called her “the next big thing”, and IANS (Indo-Asian News Service) has characterized her as “The Muslim Madonna”.
Yesterday, however, IANS, reported that Deeyah (27) has been receiving threats. Her sexy image has created strong reactions among muslims in the UK. During the last months her records has been played on Indian cable TV, as she has begun to be recognized. After that, the threats began. She had to change her phone number, and is careful where she walks on her own, she tells IANS.
Deeyah is of mixed Pakistani-Afghan-Persian origin. She has received threatening telephone calls, aggressive e-mails and verbal threats from muslim youths who demand she cover herself up. She also told IANS what she experienced in Norway, prior to moving to the UK:
“I published two albums, and was spat upon on the street, and threatened at school. Finally that was one of the main reasons for moving to the UK. All I am doing is to express myself”.
When her second album was published in 1996 it received good critics in the Norwegian press. The plan has been to move to the UK for quite some time, but the threats in Norway brought the move forward.
When Deeay was on a school-tour last fall her video was shown. In muslim schools in Bradford this provoked male students to leave the room, reports suggests it ended in fights afterwards. Deeyah has no plans to abandon her career as a singer. She says she had never thought her background would become an issue in the UK.
I don't get it.
Deepika is as Hindu a name as any. Mixed marriage was mentioned somewhere. Was the father muslim then? Dunno much about the surname Thathaal, doesn't sound like anything explicitly muzzie to me.
Let's all support this woman big time. Buy her records, attend her concerts. She deserves it.
"she was attacked on stage by angry Muslim men who thought she was degrading their culture"
Those stupid Muslim men don't realize it is THEY who are degrading their culture. Acting like feral, psychotic barbarians towards women, openness, humour, freedom, Western society. Not people like Deepika, who have a sense of humour, and the honesty to admit there are funny/odd things about her culture. Humour can be a great form of communication between cultures if done right. A great way to break down barriers. Of course, this would go against everything Islam stands for. It prefers and needs lack of communication and huge barriers.
Good luck Deepika/Deeyah. You'll need it. You shouldn't need it, but unfortunately, thanks to our weak, grovelling politicians, you do.
From the multudinous saying of BIG ALLAH:
"Freedom is degrading"
"Singing in a chador/straightjacket is liberating"
typo: meant "multitudinous sayings". The scibe responsible will be wiped for hours by BA.
"whiped"
I was listening to NPR or something the other day and they were talking about the increasing popularity of the music group "Queen" in the Arab world.The reasons stated for this is the fact that the lead singer,Freddy Mercury,was of Persian descent(although he was not a muslim).Freddy Mercury was also a homosexual that died of the AIDS virus.But,as we all know,Freddy was a man(Qur'an 4:34).
Deepika is a woman and held to a completely different standard(Qur'an 4:15).
JLP
Recently named “the next big thing” by the Sunday Times, Deeyah wrapped up an amazing and successful tour across the UK in June & July, 2004. She connected with her fans and has been making big waves throughout the music industry since then.
In August 2004, she split her time between L.A. and Atlanta in the USA shooting a fantastic video for ‘Plan of My Own’ with the award-winning director, John Lindauer, of Believe Media, whose past clients have included Lauryn Hill, Mary J Blige, Lisa Stansfield, Christina Aguilera and many others.
Finally, the brilliant new single, the double A-sided ‘Plan Of My Own/I Saw you’ will be released in the UK on January 31, 2005 followed by the album likewise entitled ‘Plan Of My Own’ on Brainwash Records. Deeyah’s music has a unique contemporary pop sound, which reflects her strong influences from pop, hip hop and rock.
Also of note, Deeyah will soon be included on the next Paul Oakenfold compilation due out in stores soon.
And, if you live in the UK, look for Deeyah’s video ‘Plan of My Own’ on all major music channels in the UK (like MTV, The Box, etc.) at the end of December
Robert
any way to get a foto
Those stupid Muslim men don't realize it is THEY who are degrading their culture.And helping Deeyah,s career
Enigmatic, intelligent and sexy, 26 year old Deeyah is a truly international artist with global star appeal. Born and raised in Norway, of Asian descent Deeyah now divides her time between the UK and the US where she has been working with the cream of US producers in Atlanta including Darin Prindle of Destiny’s Child, Madonna and TLC fame.
Her forthcoming new album is a testament to Deeyah’s determination, artistic commitment and talent. A gifted singer and songwriter, Deeyah co-writes and co-produces all tracks on the new album.
“The songs on the album are really about empowerment and taking control” says Deeyah, “The lyrics are definitely personal, but the message is universal and I hope everyone can relate to it.”
In part the album is a direct result of Deeyah’s personal and artistic empowerment. After changing record companies and losing her manger Steven Fargnoli to cancer (who was also responsible for shaping the careers of superstars such as Prince and Sinead O’Connor), Deeyah took the time she felt necessary to really connect with a producer and record company and develop material and an image that was reflective of her own style and vision. The result is an exciting collection of contemporary pop anthems, directly shaped by Deeyah and informed by her passions.
According to Deeyah, “It was important to me that the album really captures me and what I am all about. That’s why it was so great working with Darin Prindle because he allowed me the space to really make this album my own.” The new album, Deeyah reveals, is ostensibly pop with elements of hip-hop and rock plus a subtle Asian influence. The music reflects both her background in classical Indian singing and her love of pop.
“Living in Scandinavia I grew up with pop. I adored Madonna, Michael Jackson and Prince. Later on, I really got into hip-hop as well as rock. I love Snoop Dogg, Dre, Cypress Hill, Above the Law and Tha Alkaholiks as well as Metallica, Faith No More, and Alice In Chains. All these acts have a big impact on my musical taste and a great influence on my own musical expression”.
Immersed in music from an early age, Deeyah trained within the Indian classical vocal tradition for more than fourteen years and had the rare privilege of being the only female ever to be trained by Ustad Fateh Ali Khan and one of very few females to be trained by Ustad Sultan Khan in classical Indian singing. In her native Norway, Deeyah has already released two critically acclaimed albums under her birth name Deepika. Deeyah’s background allows Deeyah a singular perspective on music and adds another facet to her unique musical identity.
Her chief collaborator on the new album is acclaimed producer Darin Prindle who has worked with Destiny’s Child, TLC, Madonna, Jermaine Dupri, Boyz II Men and Usher.
According to Darin, "Deeyah’s classical training gives her a unique vocal ability that I have never heard before in pop music. She is disciplined enough to be musically and technically ‘perfect’ but is influenced enough by current music that she allows herself to be flexible and have the soul and vibe needed to make a great pop record. She is a star in every sense of the word. She has talent, drive, beauty and most of all, intelligence which you must have in order to stay at the top once you get there."
Additional production is supplied by LA based Kutmasta Kurt whose credits include Linkin Park, Mos Def and Kool Keith and Atlanta based producer Mixzo who has worked for Aaliyah, Ludacris, Bone Crusher and David Banner. Deeyah also features on a remix of the hit Bone Crusher single, ‘Never Scared’ which is currently receiving major support in Atlanta and the West Coast.
Deeyah’s first single, the double A-side "Plan of My Own"/"I Saw You" currently receiving heavy spins in clubs on both US coasts, will be released on Brainwash Records on January 31, 2005 ahead of the eagerly anticipated album titled ‘Plan Of My Own’
I saw the piece on Deeyah on FoxNews. I wish her good luck, with her career and preserving her life too. However, I did notice that, at one point in the interview, she mentioned that she was reluctant to call attention to the threats against her by Muslims because she was first of all concerned that revealing the threats would reinforce "more racism" against Muslims. So, despite her Western appearance and career, she too is infected with an overriding fear of the infidel (many of whom obviously appreciate her career)over the more dangerous threats coming from fellow Muslims.
I don't see any Muslims getting upset enough
to stop these kinds of Muslims from harming the image of Islam,unless the real anger is that non-Muslims are starting to see the true face of Islam.
NO ISLAM - KNOW A LIVE VAN GOGH
Robert
any way to get a foto
Posted by: shiva at January 27, 2005 01:04 PM
Go to the Foxnews.com web page and look it up shame they didn't write about the model who was beaten and had he face slashed this was in the story on TV??
Part of the American Tribe
Squirrel Huner
Spider Killer
God Bless the USA and her Fighting Forces and ALL who Fight with her Amen
Some info re Deeyah at:
http://www.deeyah.com/
What kind of moron spits on someone ? I can't get my head around this. Anyway, I haven't heard her music but it is probably the same crap being churned out by the likes of Jessica Simpson, J LO and Brittany judging from her website. Still no reason to spit on her though. What the f**k is wrong with these people ? Where do they get their ideas from ?