After reading the article about "Imam Muda", I find it intriguing how the concepts of religion and leadership come across. While the show appears to be a popular hit amongst audiences, I am skeptical of the impact it actually has on people's perception and views about Islam itself. Does the value of the sermons from the show really stay with them or are they treated simply as part of the program and forgotten as soon as the show is over? More importantly, I feel the religion is deeply personal and intimate experience and a television show is somewhat ineffective (and to some extent, inappropriate) in expressing the values and beliefs that can only be truly understood when personally experienced. Furthermore, a mere ten weeks of so-called practical tasks and intellectual debate is just not good enough to gauge someone's character as well as leadership capabilities as people change and leaders are made not born.
(oh man. burst by 54...)
Do you think that this concept can possibly be an effective way in raising Islam's appeal to young muslims in this way?:
ReplyDeleteJust as contestants in an American competitive reality TV series gradually become idolised and worshipped as the show progresses on, so can the fame gained by these young imam-hopefuls be used as a means to expanding the appeal of Islam to more youths, through the star appeal of these young imams-to-be. It could be possible that such loyalty to these imams, when manipulated wisely, can be translated into faithful following to Islam.
Furthermore, young imams will be able to speak the youths' language and share the same values and norms with youths their age. Hence, their strength could be in their ability to preach Islamic teachings that their peers can relate to. Islam taught in this way will be seen as being more relevant to this age group's needs.
What do you think?? :O
Hi, Dory ! Although I am supposed to comment on your 100-word response, but I really cannot stop myself from reading and commenting on your longer reflection. You are true in your response that it is rather skeptical for the reality show to have a positive impact on the audience, whether the teachings stay with them. However, as you pointed, in your opinion, a religion is a personal relationship with divine being (forgive me, I do not know what name/word/phrase should I use to replace the word "God" so as to not confuse the word with the other representations like Allah) but is it the same for Muslims? Is it also a personal relationship with Allah? The fact that the judge himself is quite a respectable person in the Islamic scene in Malaysia might show us that it is okay to have such kind of show? I tried to search on Google for an answer but in vain. Maybe, a Muslim friend can help haha ! Of course, I do not deny that some "idiots" (forgive my rude usage of words but it just enraged me whenever I think about the political situation in Malaysia) in my country, who are Muslims, do cause a lot of problems. Well, just plain sadness.
ReplyDeleteI believe that the main purpose of introducing practical tasks and intellectual challenges as part of the competition is to promote Islam - to those who don't know the religion, and to those who wish to know more - instead of using it solely as a judge of characters. Although your point on its inability to judge within a short period of time is agreeable, you have given it too little credit.
ReplyDeleteLet us take Christian activists as an example. When they approach a non-believer, they do not talk about the greatness and grace of their god if they really wish to succeed in converting him. What they do is first to let him ponder about the things around him, and to let him experience what the religion is about. I agree with your point that the show is ineffective in conveying the spiritual part of Islam, but you have to agree that it is a very successful outreach effort.
I like the debate taking place here. It recognises the issues skirted around by the author of the article. There is some discomfort with combining religion with entertainment, the private with the public, the sacred with the worldly, etc. However, Pei En recognises that the end (getting the youth to identify with religion) may justify the means (a reality show). Kia Boon feels more comfortable with the collapsing of the opposites above. (The pentecostal churces have always maintained to justify their introduction of rock music into church services: Why should the Devil have all the good music?) Joo Fei, being Malaysian, you find it more difficult to be distanced from the whole situation. This article invites comments on the Muslim faith, but it is good to consider the role of "entertainment" in all faiths?
ReplyDeleteAgree that religion is intimate and a personal experience and that TV show is an inappropriate form to express your devotion/belief. I feel like religion when famed and popularized, will be short-lived. What if the show and the 'idols' are no longer on national television and popularity dies out? Will the beliefs and teachings from the show soon be forgotten too?
ReplyDeleteHey Pei En, while I definitely agree that the fame gained by these young imam-hopefuls can be used in a positive way as a means to expand the appeal of Islam to the youth and reach out to a wider audience more easily, my concern remains about the depth of which the Islam has reached these people we are talking about. No doubt that this is a good way of raising awareness about Islam in general far and wide, how deeply has the people truly engaged and connected with the content of the religious message? The intentions behind this program is definitely good – to make Islam more appealing to youths – and the strength of these young leaders which you have brought up seem to meet these intentions nicely. However, could there also be the possibility of “glamorizing” the religion so to speak?
ReplyDeleteLet me know what you think about it too! (:
Hi Joo Fei! Wow. I’m so touched that you actually went and read my other post in spite of its length (: Hmmm. Perhaps the way I articulated it wasn’t so clear, but what I am really trying to bring across is the difference between reel and real in building personal relationships. Connecting to on-screen personalities (although they definitely exist in reality) and connecting to another human being in person, to me at least, builds the relationship very differently. A little tidbit about myself, I am a huge fan of Mediacorp artiste Rui En. However, what I know about her is limited to the roles she plays on-screen, “interaction” during certain events which she is a part of and the online updates she does on her Facebook page or the ones that I receive from fansites. Drawing a parallel to the personal relationship one will have with his/her figure of worship in whatever religion, in this case Islam, I cannot help but feel that it is somewhat inadequate as a means to bring people closer to religion and essentially works only to raise awareness/increase appeal to youths. I didn’t know that you were from Malaysia. Perhaps that is why you are actually more sensitive to how the Muslims themselves would react right? (considering the culture there) [at least from my personal experience, since half my relatives are Malaysians too!]
ReplyDeleteHello! You’re Kia Boon right? (: I agree with you that indeed the main purpose of introducing these elements as part of the competition is to promote Islam. I’d like to clarify that I don’t see them as a sole judge of the contestants’ characters. But I see using these elements any more than as a means of raising awareness for Islam and even assigning them percentage values for assessment as odd. For example, 30% of their assessment comes from their performance during practical tasks. However, it is difficult to quantify whether one aspect of religion is more important/significant than the other. Also, what about their relative occurrences during the course of the leader’s career?
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, I do agree with you that this show is a very successful outreach effort. In concluding, I guess I can only say that the title of the article is a bit misleading because I was led to believe that Islam, the religion, would be the star of the show. But what turns out to be the case is a lot of underlying issues that surround religion, mass media and leadership.