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He has been called “Islam’s biggest rock star” by Time magazine, named “the most famous British Muslim in the world” by the Guardian and recognized as “the voice of Islam” by another British newspaper, The Independent.

Sami Yusuf, a singer, songwriter, composer and music producer of Azerbaijani origin, was born in Tehran and moved to London at the age of 3.

Last year, Yusuf released his third full-length studio album, “Wherever You Are,” and is now on a world tour to promote his new material. The “musician with a message,” as he describes himself on Twitter, will perform in Jakarta at the end of this month.

“Big Announcement: We are coming to Indonesia on the 28th September!” Yusuf wrote on his official blog in July. “Extremely excited.”

Yusuf developed an interest in music as a young child. Encouraged by his father, who was a composer, he learned to play several instruments as a boy, including the piano, violin, sitar and santoor.

A bright student, Yusuf was caught between his ambitions to study law at university and pursue a career in music. He eventually chose music — a wise choice, as he quickly realized he had a talent for producing and recording other people’s music, as well as playing his own.

Inspired by what he called a “religious awakening,” Yusuf reconnected with his Islamic faith at age 19 and decided to share his experience through music. His debut album, “Al-mu’allim,” was released in July 2003 and featured songs in Arabic and English.

While the world was still picking up the pieces in the aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States, Yusuf’s music — a mix of Eastern instruments and Western melodies — spoke to young Muslims in search of a new voice and face they could relate to.

Yusuf has since been hailed as the pioneer of a new movement in the Arab world, termed “Islamic pop.” But Yusuf doesn’t necessarily identify with the label.

“The so-called Islamic videos on Arab music channels all came about after 2003,” Yusuf said in an interview with Rolling Stone in November last year. “They’re using English, as I have done. They’re following the formula that I accidentally ‘invented’ and they see me as a pioneer of ‘their way.’ ”

Yusuf gained a massive following in the Middle East, North Africa and Southeast Asia, and he quickly delivered his sophomore effort, “My Ummah,” in 2005.

He soon filled concert halls and arenas throughout the world, mesmerizing audiences with his ability to deliver songs in several different languages while playing a multitude of both modern and traditional instruments.

But after a dispute with his former record label, Awakening, the singer went on a five-year hiatus before releasing his new album last October.

“Wherever You Are” is Yusuf’s first album that falls into the category of a spiritual genre that Yusuf coined himself, called “spiritique.” Yusuf describes it as a fusion of East and West that uses “music as a facilitator for spiritual appreciation, regardless of race and religion.”

Yusuf has also done remarkable work for charity. He was named the first global ambassador of Silatech, an initiative in Qatar promoting entrepreneurial skills. He’s worked closely with the organization Save the Children, and his charity single “Hear Your Call” was used by the United Nations for several of its campaigns.

With more than nine million albums sold, Yusuf is one of Britain’s biggest stars. But celebrity status, fame and glory were not his reasons for becoming a musician. In fact, Yusuf has said he doesn’t “want to be a rock star or a pop star. I just want to do what I feel I’m confident in doing, and that’s music.”

Yusuf aims to connect people through his music to spread a message of love and faith. A proud Muslim, he is not afraid to sing about God and religion.

“If you want to do something revolutionary and make a difference, then you will find people who will get in the way and disrupt your progress,” he told the Arab News last August. “I have a goal and a target. I cannot be the best in everything. My gift is music and I’m focused on being the best in that field.”

Sami Yusuf
Live in Indonesia
Sept. 28, from 8 p.m.
Kartika Expo Center
Jl. Jend. Gatot Subroto
Kav. 37, South Jakarta
Tel. 021 521 3653