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Raihan

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Raihan is a highly influential Malaysian musical group specializing in nasheed. Nasheed is a genre of Islamic music that often carries spiritual meaning. The group's name is derived from the Arabic word *Rayḥān*, which translates to "Fragrance of Heaven." Since their debut in the mid-1990s, Raihan has become a benchmark for contemporary nasyeed music. They are credited with defining the modern genre and inspiring many other local and international artists. Their work serves as a cultural standard for nasyeed repertoire and performances worldwide.

The group's massive success began with their debut album, *Puji-Pujian*, released in October 1996. This album was produced by Farihin Abdul Fattah and achieved unprecedented commercial results. It was recognized by the Malaysian Book of Records as the fastest-selling album in January 1997. In Malaysia alone, the album grossed sales of more than 750,000 units. On a global scale, the group has achieved total album sales exceeding 3,500,000 units. This massive reach earned the debut album 12 times Platinum status in Malaysia and Double Platinum status in Singapore.

The original line-up of Raihan consisted of five members. These men were Nazrey Johani, Che Amran Idris, Abu Bakar Md Yatim, Amran Ibrahim, and the group leader, Azhari Ahmad. The group faced a significant period of transition on August 29, 2001. Founding member Azhari Ahmad died of a myocardial infarction, which is a heart attack, shortly after attending the Era Awards ceremony in Genting Highlands, Pahang. Despite this loss, the remaining four members continued to release music. Over time, the group saw several membership changes. Nordin Jaafar replaced Nazrey Johani, but Nordin also resigned in early January 2007. Zulfadhli was also a member until November 2015.

Raihan has achieved remarkable success through extensive international touring. They are the third Malaysian group to perform at the famous Royal Albert Hall in London. In 1997, they were invited by Queen Elizabeth II to perform at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Edinburgh. During this time, they received an honorary letter from Prince Charles for their performance in the Commonwealth in Concert. In 1998, the group met the Queen again during her visit to Malaysia for the 1998 Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur. They also recorded two songs, "Seal of The Prophet" and "God Is The Light," with the artist Yusuf Islam for their second album, *Syukur*.

The group's performances have spanned six different continents. They have conducted major tours in Europe, including a 2004 tour of France that covered seven cities like Paris, Lyon, and Marseille. They also completed a road tour of the United Kingdom, visiting cities such as Glasgow, Manchester, Birmingham, and Wembley. Their reach extends to North America, where they performed at Canada's Wonderland in Toronto in 2005. In Asia, they have performed extensively in Indonesia, having visited the country more than ten times by 2005. They have also traveled to Australia, China, Russia, South Africa, and the United States.

In terms of specific regional success, Raihan has maintained a strong presence in Southeast Asia. In Indonesia, their fourth album, *Koleksi Nasyid Terbaik*, sold over 200,000 units. Their tenth album, *Bacalah*, sold more than 70,000 units in that same country. Their musical influence is also reflected in their many accolades. They have won numerous Anugerah Industri Muzik (AIM) awards, including Best New Group and Best Nasyid Album for several different releases. They have also received the Kembara (Explorer) Award three times for their extensive international travels.

Beyond music, Raihan has held significant social and cultural roles. In 2006, the Prime Minister's Department appointed them as Peace Ambassadors representing Malaysia. They were also recognized on global lists, appearing in *The 500 Most Influential Muslims in the World* in 2008, 2009, and 2010. Their career has included starring in *Syukur 21*, which was Malaysia's first movie with a totally Islamic theme. Through their music and public roles, the group aims to inspire millions of lives to constantly become better Muslims.

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