From the moment I could talk I was ordered to listen.

Then one day I found my head when I wasn't even trying.

Are you the man who reads phone books?

The spiritual quest was always the predominant aspect of my life. It's always been there. But there's also an incredible passion connected to it; it's not just a dry investigative process. I have been extremely emotional about it, and that comes out in the songs.

Maybe some people may have thought or imagined that Islam drains all creativity. In fact, when you look at history, you discover that the golden age of Spain is what actually produced what we call the guitar.

I have this really beautiful Martin guitar, and it just kind of writes songs for me.