Burhan Šaban

Burhan Šaban (born October 8, 1970) is a Bosnian singer of Islamic divine and spiritual songs, nasheeds, and qasida.

Life and career

Šaban was born on October 8, 1970, in Skopje, SFR Yugoslavia. By the age of 14, he became a hafiz (someone who has completely memorized the Quran). This achievement earned him the nickname "Little Hafiz" (Mali hafiz) when he moved to Sarajevo at the age of 15. In 1987, he became the soloist in the choir of Gazi Husrev Bey's Madrasa, where he performed traditional Turkish ilahis. Subsequently, he began interpreting these chants independently.

The first albums of ilahi and qasida released in Bosnia and Herzegovina venues are recognizable by Burhan's solo interpretations. He published his first solo album with hymns in Turkish in 1990.

In 1991, he enrolled in Oriental Studies at the Faculty of Philosophy, University of Sarajevo.

In 1993, Šaban collaborated with friends in Zagreb to release a war album featuring his interpretation of Latić's text "Puhnuće behar". This album was significantly influenced by the authorship of Zele Lipovača.

During the Bosnian War, Šaban moved to Turkey. Utilizing his native Turkish fluency and his understanding of both Bosnian and the conditions in Bosnia and Herzegovina, he worked in Turkish media, informing the public about the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

He attained a prominent position in the foreign policy newsroom of TGRT television, primarily due to his multilingual proficiency. Šaban was also active in the music department, where he recorded three solo albums spanning various musical genres: ilahia, art music, and arabesque.

In 1996, he participated in the project led by Yusuf Islam I Have No Cannons That Roar, which was published in London.

After the release of the album Ja sam vjetar zaljubljeni, concerts that followed were Dođi najdraži, San o Bosni, Pogledaj nas ja Rabbi, Poruka, Mošus Pejgamberov, that were well received by the public.

Personal life

Šaban is married to Šejma Pašanović. In the fall of 2008, they had a daughter named Iman. He resides mainly in Sarajevo and works on a regular route between Sarajevo, Skopje, Istanbul, and Copenhagen. He is also employed as a representative for a private Danish auto-industrial company.

Discography

Albums

• Ja sam vjetar zaljubljeni (1998)
• Draga moja Džemila (2002)
• Rodiš se i umreš (2005)
• Tebe trebam (2011; 16 compositions)

Singles

• "Kišna dova" (2005)
• "Strah me" (2005)
• "Moja Zulejha" (2005)