NST Online: StreetsJohor
NST Online: StreetsJohor |
| Posted: 17 Aug 2011 09:51 AM PDT 2011/08/17 Guests enjoyed an evening of nasyid at a musical theatre organised by Yayasan Warisan Johor recently MALAM Konsert Hidayah, a musical theatre organised by Yayasan Warisan Johor (YWJ), was the talk of the town not only among nasyid enthusiasts but also contemporary music lovers. Held at Dewan Orang Ramai in Segamat, the two-hour show of music and drama depicting spiritual, human and moral values kept 800 guests entertained.
Rock star cum nasyid singer, the husky-voiced Ramli Sarip, was also in the line-up. YWJ cultural officer Jaafar Ismail said the concert was focused on spirituality.
Audio-visual presentations accompanying the performances made sure the audience understood the tales. M. Nasir, who was unable to attend the concert, composed the opening overture Perjalanan (Journey).
"I was honoured by such an ovation. I felt on top of the world," said the 49-year-old lead singer of Al Jawahir, the nasyid group groomed by Nasir. Habibah's performance depicted the beginning of a child's life, which continuation was staged by YWJ singers performing a medley of 1,2,3,4, Junjungan Mulia, Barakallah, Alhamdulillah and Takwa dan Iman. Ramli Sarip sang the hits of his heyday Tawakkalah, Kepada Mu Kekasih and Akal vs Jiwa. Ayai, former lead vocalist of pop group Illusi, delivered seven songs including the English version of a nasyid hit called For The Rest of My Life. The evening's sensation, however, was Nazrey Johani, a founding member of the nasyid quartet Raihan. Nazrey sang 25 Rasul, a hit from Raihan's earliest album, to the delight of the audience. Mohd Iqbal Ahmad, 25, who has been a Raihan fan since its inception, saluted Nazrey's performance. "Nazrey is still a crowd puller even after almost 15 years," he said. Roslina Ahmad, a great admirer of Al Jawahir, was impressed with Habibah's performance. "I love the group's songs, especially the Hari Raya number Mohon Pada Nya, Sujud Pada Nya," he said. YWJ director Muhamad Fuad Radzuan, overjoyed by the overwhelming response to the concert, plans to organise the musical theatre in other districts soon. Guest-of-honour was State Rural and Regional Development, Arts, Culture and Heritage Committee chairman Asiah Md Ariff. Full Feed Generated by Get Full RSS, sponsored by Used Car Search. |
| A time for humility, not profiteering Posted: 17 Aug 2011 08:32 AM PDT 2011/08/17 TWO weeks of fasting has passed like a breeze. Some say surviving the first week of Ramadan is like a rite of passage to complete the month of fasting. I'm not even sure if the word "surviving" is even apt. It's just fasting. Duh! To be frank, even the most devout would find fasting a challenge. It is more than having to cope with hunger and thirst as there are other challenges that they have to endure as well.
Swearing and cursing at motorcyclists who zigzag their way to Singapore, endangering the lives of others, is a sure way of losing some "points" while fasting. You see, one needs to control one's anger and emotions when fasting. You won't learn anything about patience if you go around spewing wrath .
Another issue to contend with is being sleepy in the office. It's not unusual as those fasting have to rise early for their meals, and many are known to bring their pillows, including contoured ones, to catch forty winks during lunch break. While some are fortunate to have comfortable headrests on their office chairs, others have resorted to doze off with their heads on a bolster on their desk.
It's common to see orphans, old folk and the handicapped being feted during Ramadan. What's more important is that the underprivileged are not forgotten at other times. It is heartening to see corporate companies reaching out to the less fortunate during Ramadan in the festive season. Meanwhile, feasting has become customary during Ramadan. It's literally a month of food fiesta, as food is prominently on the minds of those fasting. Some restaurants which hope to attract more patrons have the Ayat Seribu Dinar posters on their walls, but at the same time they have also raised their prices. What is this? A talisman to attract customers? As Muslims are supposed to culturally progressive, it got me wondering when the use of such talismans were allowed. One of the core values of Ramadan is to get re-acquainted with God and be charitable, instead of making the most from the hungry and using religion to justify profiteering. Would it not be better to lower the prices so that even the poor, a fellow Muslim or not, can buy more to break their fast with? The journey home after bagging the ayam percik, satay and laksa Penang is another test on one's patience, as the traffic is usually worse compared with the morning rush. Few will be accommodating enough to give way, as we attempt to change lanes, to get home. People can be just too competitive or kiasu at that time of day. Ramadan is a time to ponder at the values that we often neglect. Full Feed Generated by Get Full RSS, sponsored by Used Car Search. |
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