Zain Bhikha’s New Release ‘A Phoenix Once Was Palestine’ Reflects on Resilience and Hope

Zain Bhikha ignites a spark of hope with his latest song, ‘A Phoenix Once Was Palestine’. As the world crumbles under the atrocities that the people of Palestine face, Zain Bhikha’s latest song – ‘A Phoenix Once Was Palestine’, with its impactful lyrics and Bhikha’s signature vocals, delivers a powerful message of solidarity and empathy, acknowledging the resilience, pain and displacement endured by the Palestinians.

Bhikha states that he chose to use the words of the powerful Palestinian anthem in the chorus of the song as it speaks to the faith that the country’s people display not only since October 2023, but over several decades of onslaught: “From the ashes there will rise a phoenix once was Palestine”, makes this more than just a song, A ‘Phoenix Once Was Palestine’ is a rallying cry. It compels listeners to consider the realities of the situation while offering a message of enduring hope for a brighter future. The song serves as a reminder that freedom and justice, while seemingly distant, remain a powerful possibility.

Filmed in Cape Town, South Africa, where artists have created murals on buildings, on walls, in public spaces and in homes, as a sign of solidarity with their Palestinian brothers, the accompanying video to ‘A Phoenix Once Was Palestine’ is as powerful in its message. It is the sentiment of most South Africans, who still wear the scars of Apartheid, and who stand firm in the words of President Nelson Mandela when he so aptly stated, ‘We know too well that our freedom is incomplete without the freedom of the Palestinians.’

What makes this song all the more special are the accompanying artists that Bhikha chose to collaborate with. Throughout his career Zain Bhikha is known to bring out the best in a song through pairing with talented artists. His songs have featured not only world renowned artists, but also young singers, rap artists and spoken word poets. Amongst his previous collaborations are songs with friends’ – Dawud Wharnsby and Omar Regan, his mentor-Yusuf Islam and acclaimed singers like Khalid Belrhouzi, Mu’ad, Khalil Ismail, Taariq Malinga and Fadi Tolbi.

In recent years, Zain has also chosen to feature gifted, young artists through mentoring collaborations. For “A Phoenix Once Was Palestine”, the choice of upcoming talent was so difficult that he eventually chose the voices of Iman Farrar, a dynamic young Australian/Malay singer who has made waves with her voice since 2019, and the charismatic Yaman Helmi from Syria, whose iconic and distinguished singing voice is what made him get recognised by aid organisation Africa Muslims Agency (AMA).

Bhikha adds: “Both of these young artists, Iman and Yaman just touched a chord in me. Their voices each added a depth to the song that elevated it both in tune and emotion. It was extremely difficult to choose, and eventually the team and I decided to release two versions of ‘A Phoenix Once Was Palestine’. I believe they will be received equally well by fans.”

A Phoenix Once Was Palestine is available with voice and drum as well as a voice-only version on all major streaming platforms. The official video is available on the ZainBhikhaOfficial YouTube channel.