Abu Ratib

Mohamed Mustapha Ali Masfaka (; born 1962), better known as Abu Ratib , is a Syrian Nasheed singer of Islamic and Arabic music based on classical Arab poetry.

Early life Masfaka was born in Aleppo, Syria. From an early age, he was immersed in musical traditions of the Arab world. At a young age, he joined the Arab Music Institute in Aleppo, Syria where he studied musical notation (Solfège) and learned to play the violin.

Masfaka studied broadcasting and television direction in Amman, Jordan, and obtained experience in the broadcasting engineering.

Career As Masfaka balanced music with a growing interest in Islam, his work moved in a spiritual direction.

Awards In 2006 Masfaka was awarded the World Youth Prize for Islamic Work in the field of Inshad (religious singing). Masfaka who pleaded guilty to making false statements during his naturalization proceedings, was later deported to the country of his choice.

After the fall of the Assad regime, he returned to Syria after 45 years of exile.