Born Yousseph Slimani, 34-year old Chico gained fame on British TV talent show, 'X-Factor', before signing a deal with music label SONY BMG. He is also the first Arab, first Moroccan and first Sufi (Islamic mystic) to get to the number one spot.

"Chico represents a new clean-cut, smiling face for Arabs and Muslims in the UK, far removed from some of the negative images we have seen in the past," said Boutros al-Bakr of online Islamic think-tank, Ihsanic Intelligence (I-I).

"with audiences of 10 million watching the 'X-Factor' and out-selling Madonna, his star is on the ascendant worldwide."

After a career which has included goat-herder, hairdresser, electrical engineer, and exotic male dancer, Chico combines his new role as a pop-singer with being a Sufi Muslim.

The amiable pop-star follows eminent Sufi master, Shaykh Nazim al-Qubrusi, whose previous disciples have included the Sultan of Brunei,

"My own spiritual guide is Mawlana Shaykh Nazim who is a Sufi saint," said Chico in an interview with British broadcaster, Channel 4.

"I grew up as a Muslim but I found Sufism which is the mystical part of Islam - it's a beautiful thing."

Apart from appearing on music shows like 'Top of the Pops', Chico will be appearing alongside another Sufi master, Shaykh Hisham Kabbani, and British boxing sensation, Amir Khan, at a 'spiritual celebration' evening on March 16 in Manchester, UK.

About Ihsanic Intelligence

Ihsanic Intelligence (I-I) is an online Islamic think-tank which published the landmark study,'The Hijacked Caravan', refuting suicide bombings within the Islamic tradition. In February 2006, I-I helped organise the visit of eminent Islamic scholar, Hamza Yusuf, to the prestigious Oxford Union debating society.