Spotify saw a 68% increase worldwide in streams in nasheeds (Islamic devotional songs or spiritual hymns) during Ramadan than the previous month.
This trend is expected to continue this year and based on streams in March 2022, the UK was the third top country globally for streaming nasheeds behind Indonesia and Malaysia.
Last year UK hit artist Harris J saw listening increases during Ramadan with his hits 'Rasool' Allah' and 'Salam Alaikum' both having more than 250% increases.
Lebanese-Swedish R&B singer Maher Zain was one of the most streamed artists with Ramadan-related songs last April.
His song Ramadan - English version saw more than a 1000% increase in listens in the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, and Jordan during Ramadan last year. Streams of the song also saw more than a 500% increase in Australia, Canada, Germany, the UK and the US.
Zain’s songs in different languages also appealed to different Muslim communities globally, such as Assalamu Alayka - Arabic Version and Neredesin - Turkish - Türkçe in Turkey and mutiple Arabic speaking countries. Whilst spiritual British singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist Sami Yusuf’s track You Came to Me - English trended in the US with a 260% increase in the same time frame.
Muslim communities globally are creating user-generated playlists of their favourite nasheed and spiritual music, with Ramadan related words such as zikir (remembrance), ilahi (divine), hati (heart) and doa (supplication) to share with friends and family to soundtrack the month.
Dr Mufti Ismail Menk a leading global Islamic scholar born and raised in Zimbabwe still remains one of the most popular choices for worldwide audiences.
Maher Zain was one of the most streamed artists with Ramadan-related songs last April. (Picture Maher Zain Facebook)
In the UK, associated words surah (chapter in the Quran), nazam (Urdu poetry) and deen (‘religion’) proved popular for the creation of spiritual and nasheed playlists.
Each year, Spotify refreshes its dedicated Ramadan Destination offering content for every Ramadan moment throughout the day whether it’s Sufi music, Oud soundscapes, or health and fitness podcasts.
This year Ramadan this year, streams Chill-oud have risen over 200% in March across the likes of Algeria, Jordan, Morocco, United Arab Emirates, Germany and the USA when compared to streams in January-February of this year.
Whilst Lagu Raya continues to be a popular Ramadan associated playlist, particularly with the Muslim community in Australia with streams skyrockting 320% in the same time frame. Other countries listening to this playlist include Singapore, Japan and India.
One of the most popular podcasts during the Holy Month is 'Freshly Grounded'. Hosted by two British Muslim entrepreneurs, they discuss anything and everything from business, lifestyle and current world events. Guests often feature sharing their own stories and experiences.
The UK has the most listeners by far for Anchor podcast M. Quraish Shihab Podcast which features Indonesian Muslim scholar M. Quraish Shihab reflecting on the Quran and the principles of Islam.
Spotify has curated a list of podcast recommendations for listeners in the UK - here is a list of must listen to podcasts this Ramadan:
1. Mufti Ismail Menk
2. Islamic Talks
3. Omar Suleiman
4. Muhammad Hoblos
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here