Objective novelty is something that is new for all humanity in its development through ages.
A very excellent example of Novelty and Invention
This is one of the examples of innovation through the Malaysian Media
Imam Muda is no ordinary reality show
WHEN the new show called Imam Muda was first announced in April, many were doubting the reasons behind the show and how it would work.
Now Imam Muda or In Search Of An Imam (cleric) is nearly into its first month (it premiered on May 28) and the show is gaining popularity. It already has more than 20,454 fans (at press time) on its Facebook page.
Week by week, the public is now starting to pay more attention to the programme which airs on Astro Oasis (Astro channel 106) every Friday at 9pm.
Emotional journey: Some of the aspiring imams praying for one of the bodies they had to bury as part of a long list of challenges in Imam Muda.
Imam Muda teaches the competitors the ins-and-outs of Islamic teachings.
In the reality-based show, the 10 young men who come from various backgrounds have to live together in the Kuala Lumpur Mosque hostel for three months and each one of them has to prove that they have what it takes to become the best imam in the group.
Auditions were run by Astro earlier this year. The lucky participants are Amiril Md Banin, 25, from Kuala Lumpur; Muhammad Asyraf Mohd Ridzuan, 26 (Penang); Ahmad Hazran Ahmad Kamal, 26 (Negri Sembilan); Hizbur Rahman Omar Zuhdi, 27 (Kedah), Muhammad Khairul Azhar Ghazali, 21 (Kedah), Nik Muhammad Adid Md Amin, 22 (Kelantan), Nuri Ali Arbain, 25 (Pahang), Sharafuddin Suaut, 26 (Sarawak), Ahmad Syakir Zamri, 19 (Kelantan) and Mohd Taufek Mohd Noh, 27 (Johor).
It is interesting to note that in the show, these young men are dressed smartly in suits and ties rather than the traditional baju Melayu or flowing jubah. Also, not all come from religious backgrounds. Among the competitors are a bank officer, a motivational speaker and a farmer.
Every week they will sit for written and practical tests under the watchful eyes of a Mudhir (principal), Datuk Hasan Mahmud Al Hafiz, the former chief imam of the National Mosque. He is assisted by two Murshid (mentors) Ustaz Sharizan Daud At Turabi and Ustaz Syed Norhisham Al Idrus.
The pilot episode really caught the attention of the TV masses when the 10 aspiring imams had to face a big challenge – bathing and burying two bodies, one of which was infected with AIDs that had been unclaimed in the morgue.
Guided by religious mentors and forensic officers, they washed the body, wrapped it in white cotton, offered prayers and buried it. In that episode, some of the participants became so emotionally overwhelmed by the challenge that they openly shed tears while praying at the graves.
With its mix of youthful contestants and the pressing issues of the day, the programme seems to have hit a winning formula among the viewers.
“When we first came up with the idea last year, somehow in my mind, I knew that Imam Muda would attract viewers. While we are watching these 10 men who are put to different challenges every week, we also learn from them,” said Izelan Basar, Astro Oasis channel manager in a recent interview.
Guiding light: Aspiring imam Ahmad Syakir Zamri counselling one of the mat rempits who was arrested in a raid recently.
“In the second episode, we brought them to visit a shelter for abandoned babies at Dar As Saa’dah in Jalan Ipoh, KL. If that was not enough, in the following week (third episode) these aspiring imams visited Rumah Nursalam, a centre for children in Chow Kit, KL. It got viewers shedding tears.”
Last week’s episode featured the participants dealing with a group of mat rempits who were arrested in a recent police raid in Johor Baru.
“Issues such as abandoned babies, children from broken families and mat rempits are rampant in our society. It could happen in our neighbourhood or even our next door neighbour,” added Izelan.
Apart from other challenges mentioned above, these young aspiring imams are also required to deliver sermons in real mosques every Friday.
“What we are trying to show in Imam Muda is that an imam’s responsibilities are beyond leading congregation in prayers in the mosque. He must also lead Muslims in all aspects of Islamic life.
Izelan added Imam Muda aims to create a new generation of young, versatile and credible imams and to promote religious understanding, harmony and tolerance.
Imam Muda, which is a collaboration between Astro with the Federal Territory Religious Affairs Department (JAWI), seems keen to move away from the stereotypical image of elderly imams in flowing robes.
“What we want to show in Imam Muda is that being an imam, he is also a negotiator, social leader in his community. He’s a teacher, a guide, a mediator, an arbitrator and the imam’s duties range from spiritual guidance to a psychologist, sorting through the never-ending issues in people’s lives,” said Izelan.
He said that each aspiring imam on the show is given a task each week, and tested on his Islamic theory and practical applications as well as leadership qualities until only one contestant remains.
Apart from religious classes formatted by JAWI, the participants are also attending English classes three times a week and protocol classes conducted by tutors from INTAN (National Institute of Public Administration).
When asked about the elimination process, Izelan said there was no hard and fast rules for Imam Muda.
“The show does not necessarily eliminate one student each week. It all depends on their weekly written and challenge test. For all we know 10 of them might be staying for the final episode. The Mudhir and Murshids will be responsible for the participants’ fate after their weekly writing and challenge test.”
Izelan revealed that the winner will take home prizes include a full scholarship to the famous Madinah International University in Saudi Arabia, a job as an imam at Kuala Lumpur Mosque, a pilgrimage to Mecca, a car, RM20,000 cash and a laptop computer.
A visit to its Facebook page saw several fans urging the producer not to eliminate any participant until the final episode on July 30 as they view all 10 aspiring imams equally good and have strengths in different aspects. For them it is better to have all 10 participants in the final episode and select the top three winners.
Here is the link:
http://ecentral.my/news/story.asp?file=%2F2010%2F6%2F21%2Ftvnradio%2F6453873&sec=tvnradio
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