Dashni Murad Dashni Murad (Kurdish: دەشنێ موراد, Arabic: دشني مراد ; born 1 January 1986) is a Kurdish Iraqi pop singer and television presenter, known as the Shakira of Kurdistan or Iraq's Shakira. She moved to the Netherlands at the age of twelve, and has acquired the Dutch nationality. She is also known as an association football (soccer) fanatic and played as an amateur for many years before leaving it to sing. Dashne Murad first came to prominence as the host of the Kurdistan TV television program "Be Control". She also had her own "The Dashni Show" a talk show where she spoke openly about issues of concern for women, including romantic relationships, a subject that remains taboo in Kurdish society. Dashni Murad has currently recorded one album, as of August 2009. She is currently working on her second album which will be available on 7 July 2010. Her act, with sexually suggestive dance moves, has roused controversy amongst both conservative Muslims and women rights campaigners. Her album "Hom Shika Wawa"[4] was recorded in Lebanon by music video director Fadi Haddad in March 2010. The clip has two versions, one in Kurdish and the other in Arabic and made her a crossover Kurdish artist in the Arab World, where her songs are put regularly on Arabic music channels. She is also planning to sing an all-Arab album in the near future. Early life and career beginnings Dashni Morad was born on 1 of January 1986 in Sulemaniayh (Kurdistan Iraq). At the age of 11 she moved to Holland with her family. There she began new, safe life full of new opportunities. As a child Dashni was very shy. She lived in her own world, an artistic world, where she was very confident and could express herself through art. She started modelling work at the age of 16 and she joined a street dance group. Her culture didn't allow Dashni to join a street dance or to play football. However she played an amateur football for some time till she was forced to leave the team. At the age of 19 she joined Kurdistan TV with the program Be Control (without Control). It was the first show in Kurdish history with an open-minded and contemporary view of point. The show became the subject of many discussions and articles in different papers. Nevertheless the program had millions of viewers worldwide. After two years of success Dashni returned to Kurdistani Iraq for the first time since 12 years. It was very emotional to see her own country again after 12 years, to see the progress in freedom and safety and to see how young girls looked up to her and wanted to feel free as well. She decided to record an album and finally her dream came true. Dashni is known as a sweet girl helping young girls. She helped many upcoming singers with video clips and other issues.For example she helped an Ethiopian housemaid to become a singer. This fact attracted international media attention. Dashni is a kind and charitable person. Along with the famous German band Gunther Gabrielle she participated at the first peace concert of Iraq in Erbil. The goal of her performance was to raise funds for children, victims of Saddam's regime.Dashni is mentioned in two books: in German book, Der Fluch des langen Krieges: Wie Osama bin Laden den Westen zu besiegen droht author: Micheal Claasen. And in English book about the history of Kurdistan and its recent conditions. Her debut album Hela Hopa in 2009 became a big success. Once again Dashni was the first to break barriers and sing and dance like that. Her second album Shika Wawa released in 2010 didn't get any promotion. Instead she was boycotted by most of the media. She approached the biggest and the most respected Arabic music channel ROTANA. They played her song Shika Wawa directed by the most famous Lebanese director Fadi Haddad. Dashni gained more respect and love not only among her people but also abroad. In one of French papers she was called The Shakira of Kurdistan. She is a big fan of Shakira herself. The article got worldwide attention and led to interviews on BBC, MBC, AL – ARABIA, et cetera. Her third album Frishtay Mihraban (Peaceful angel) produced by VIN TV came out mid 2011. The album got huge success. Dashni was the first female artist to make R&B songs within this album.