for Arabic Version click HereDUBAI Renowned recording artist Sami Yusuf is to donate the proceeds of a new single to the UN World Food Programme (WFP) in support of humanitarian operations in the drought-hit Horn of Africa. Yusuf has just finalized the recording of his song, Forgotten Promises, for release in the coming few days as part of a campaign to raise awareness among the public about hunger in Somalia and the surrounding region. The campaign, LiveFeed, also aims to raise funds to sustain and scale-up relief efforts in the area, struck by the worst drought in 60 years. The UK-based singer, song-writer, composer and UN Celebrity Partner for WFP will visit Dubai for the first time in the beginning of next year to perform his new song and some of his hits for the cause. The exact date and venue of the concert will be soon revealed to the public. ETM International, Yusufs production company, is excited about the impact of the campaign.Sami Yusuf put all his talent and heart in this song; this is undoubtedly one of his best pieces of work, said Faryal Shafi from ETM. Forgotten Promises is a universal call for solidarity and our hope is to engage the widest possible audience in this drive. The song will speak for itself and we cant wait to reveal it to the public.Held in association with the UAE Red Crescent Authority, the initiative will be rolled out later this month through the LiveFeed campaign developed by international advertising firm JWT and sponsored by UAE-based conglomerate Al Aroud Group. LiveFeed will be backed by a dedicated website www.LiveFeedAfrica.org aimed at engaging UAE residents and the Middle East online community in the fight against hunger. We have always been a great supporter of WFP and have contributed to their efficient and well-organized programme, dedicated to helping the needy all around the world, said CEO of Al Aroud Group and Rus-Aviation Saleh Al-Aroud. I encourage everyone to give a helping hand for such a good cause.The song, which combines English, Arabic and Swahili lyrics, will be sold both online and in music stores across the Middle East. Buyers will be able to contribute to the cause by simply downloading the song, purchasing the album or making a donation online through LiveFeedAfrica.org. As little as 50 cents can enable WFP to feed a person in the Horn of Africa for one day. Although the tragedy hitting Somalia and its neighbouring countries has been highlighted by the media over the last three months, the humanitarian needs remain colossal. We just cant let them down, said Ashraf Hamouda, WFPs Head of Partnership & Business Development for the Middle East, North Africa and the Gulf. Sami Yusufs enthusiasm to support this cause personally as well as engaging his fans and followers is a unique chance to mobilize and inspire the public, he said. Drought in the Horn of Africa, coupled with conflict in Somalia, has affected over 13 million people. WFP is supporting food operations in five countries in the region; Somalia, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Kenya and Uganda. In Somalia, where famine was declared in six areas in the south of the country, WFP reached 1.2 million people last month and is scaling up to reach 700,000 throughout the country in the coming months.Since July, WFP has reached over 7.9 million people with direct food assistance in the Horn of Africa. # # #About the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP): WFP is the world’s largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide. Each year, on average, WFP feeds more than 90 million people in more than 70 countries.To donate to WFPs Horn of Africa online appeal through the LiveFeed campaign, go to: https:www.wfp.org/donate/hoa_livefeed For more information, please visit www.wfp.org, follow us on Twitter @wfp_media or contact: Elise Bijon, WFP/Dubai, Tel.: +971 4 368 1383, E-mail : elise.bijon@wfp.org About Sami Yusuf:Endowed with a strong cultural affiliation to music and having studied music with several renowned composers, including those from one of the world’s most prestigious music institutes the Royal Academy of Music in London, Sami learned to play several musical instruments at a very young age. His groundbreaking debut Al-Muallim sold over 3 million copies. It was then succeeded by his second release — the highly acclaimed, My Ummah which sold well over 4 million copies. Sami has headlined the CNN, BBC, ABC, Al Jazeerah and every mainstream channel in the Arab world and Turkey. He has been hailed by Time magazine as Islam’s biggest Rock Star and The most famous British Muslim in the World by The Guardian. He is the first and the youngest Muslim recipient of the honorary Doctor of Letters award by the University of Roehampton in recognition to his extraordinary contribution to music.Sami has played across four continents, selling out prestigious venues such as Wembley Arena in London, Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles and The Velodrome in Cape Town, South Africa and has recently made history by becoming the First International artist to perform in post-revolution Egypt. His most notable show saw a staggering 250,000 people pack Taksim Square in Istanbul, Turkey.Sami is one of the UK’s biggest exports in the last decade. In the course of 7 years, he has masterfully navigated through unchartered waters he has won over the hearts and minds of millions from across the Middle East, Europe, North America and North Africa. His compass, in principle, has been his self-coined genre Spiritique. Manifested both musically and philosophically in his third album, Wherever You Are, Spiritique is a product of Samis identity. Sami is a passionate advocate of unity and is boldly committed to cross-cultural appreciation through promotion of universal values and celebration of the human spirit.Sami Yusufs electronic press kit:•URL: http:www.samiyusufofficial.com/protected/EPK-NEW/•User: SYOEPK•Password: dwbrmmFor more information, visit www.samiyusufofficial.com, www.facebook.com/samiyusuf or contact:info@etminternational.comTel: +971 4 3132061Fax: +971 4 3132062About RUS Aviation and Al Aroud Group:SHARJAH: Rus Aviation was established in 1999 under the inspiring leadership of Mr.Saleh Al Aroud. With the intentions of filling the niche in the aviation industry, Rus Aviation has been serving local, regional and international clients for all their needs of Air Charter services, Air Cargo Charter, Cargo Consolidation, Ground Handling, Fuel Supply, Over-Flying & Landing permissions. Based in one of the fastest growing aviation hubs in the region the Sharjah Airport International Free Zone, Rus Aviation has grown today into one of the most reputable and sought-after service provider and under the guidance of Mr. Saleh Al Aroud, it has gone beyond the region and is reaching out to clients and companies all across the globe. Following the phenomenal success of RUS Aviation, the group has created business opportunities in various sectors such as, Travel & Destination Management, Hospitality, Information Technology, Real Estate & Financial Brokerage. The ensuing success in these sectors too, has given rise to the Al Aroud Group. Today, the group has more than 8 operating companies in various business sectors. Every company under the umbrella of AL Aroud Group operates independently, and the Group takes pride in bringing together a team of professionals with a wide range of skills, which enable them to offer the highest standards of service to meet any requirement. Al Aroud Group created a savvy environment professional approach with dedication and commitment, which has brought accolades from local, regional and international clientele, including governments and public sector. For more information, please visit www.alaroudgroup.com or contact:info@alaroudgroup.aeTel. +971 6 5572277Fax. +971 6 5572299 About JWT:JWT is the worlds best-known marketing communications brand. Headquartered in New York, JWT is a true global network with more than 200 offices in over 90 countries employing nearly 10,000 marketing professionals. JWT consistently ranks among the top agency networks in the world and continues its dominant presence in the industry by staying on the leading edgefrom producing the first-ever TV commercial in 1939 to developing award-winning branded content for brands such as Smirnoff, Macys, Ford and HSBC. JWTs pioneering spirit enables the agency to forge deep relationships with clients including Bayer, Bloomberg, Cadbury, Diageo, DTC, Ford, HSBC, Johnson & Johnson, Kelloggs, Kimberly-Clark, Kraft, Nestl, Nokia, Rolex, Royal Caribbean, Schick, Shell, Unilever, Vodafone and many others. JWTs parent company is WPP (NASDAQ: WPPGY).For more information, visit www.jwt.com

Source: UN World Food Programme (WFP)