Fedayeen (band)

Fedayeen

Company type	Punk band
Industry	Music
Founded	2009
Headquarters	Portland, Oregon , United States
Key people	Abu Taha al-Amriki, Raheem Vukas, Hajirah D., Taha Husayn
Products	Music recordings (singles, EPs, planned album)

Fedayeen is a punk band originating from Portland, Oregon, featuring members Abu Taha al-Amriki, Raheem Vukas, Hajirah D., and Taha Husayn. They are associated with the Taqwacore Movement, a Muslim punk subculture that actively opposes extremism, homophobia, sexism, and violence.

History

Established in 2009, Fedayeen attracted global recognition with their first single "I Love Osama bin Laden," which was distributed across 23 countries within three weeks of its launch. This was followed by the EP titled "The Fedayeen Experience" released in June 2010, along with the two-track CD single "List the Dead," dedicated to Palestinian children who lost their lives due to actions by the IDF. Their debut full-length album, Peace, Love, and Kalashnikovs, was planned for release on September 11, 2010. A scheduled radio appearance on May 1, 2010, with Cultural Syndicate was ultimately canceled because of concerns regarding their song lyrics.

The group has been featured in outlets such as Bitchface Magazine, Stamp Media, and Apen voor Antwerpen, as well as numerous international blogs. Fedayeen deliberately courts controversy with the intention of challenging both "flag-waving patriots" and conservative Muslim audiences, having reportedly received several death threats early in their career. Lead singer Abu Taha has stated that their lyrics aim to address difficult realities, exemplified by their track Bacha Bazi, which highlights the exploitation of boys in Northern Afghanistan.

Although Fedayeen disbanded toward the end of 2011, key members Raheem and Abu Taha continued their musical partnership by forming the hip hop group "ATARI CREED" in 2015. Abu Taha, now performing under the name Akh-Word Poet (with "Akh" meaning "Muslim brother"), retains a strong emphasis on socio-political themes in his songwriting while integrating autobiographical elements drawn from his extensive encounters with the criminal justice system spanning from age twelve until 2013.

Discography

1. "I Love Osama bin Laden" (single)
2. "Umi" (single)
3. "The Fedayeen Experience" (EP)
4. "List the Dead" (single)
5. "Legion" (single)
6. "Carry Me into the Light" (single)
7. Peace, Love, and Kalashnikovs (unreleased LP)