14
Muslim Views . August 2016
Nasheed artists inspire with their melodies ABDUL WAHAAB PATTERSON
AN inspirational nasheed evening titled Laylatul Far’ha was held at Lentegeur Civic Centre, in Mitchells Plain, on July 29, 2016, from 6pm. The evening started out quietly but the venue quickly filled as hundreds of supporters and members of the community came out in their numbers. Even though there was a slight chill in the air, this was soon forgotten as various groups wowed the crowds with their beautiful recitations. Organising the event was Mogamad Amien Francis and his family, with the aim to raise funds for his son, Abdullah Francis, who has embarked on studying Quraan and Islamic studies, in Eqypt. The MC for the evening was Shoukard Allie, with the opening qiraah and duah performed by Shaikh Haroon Moos. The first group on stage was JoharulHayaat, meaning ‘Essence of Life’. Led by Uthmaan Barnes, the group of six was started in Ramadaan 2014 and is based primarily in Wynberg. They have been involved with various functions and youth activities. We also managed to chat to Abdul Baasit Colbie, of Aswaatul Mu’mineen Nasheed Group. This eight-member group started in 2015. With various performances, they intend having a CD launched soon and intend hosting an Islamic/ fun evening towards the end of the year. Coming from various communities on the Cape flats, including Mitchells Plain, Schaapkraal, Surrey Estate and Primrose Park, the
Abdullah Francis (third from right) is leaving to study Quran and Islamic Studies in Egypt. He is a member of the nasheed group Al-Ghurabaa, one of the groups who participated in the fundraiser nasheed evening, Laylatul Far’ha. The members of Al-Ghurabaa are (left to right) Waseem Philander, Yusuf Patel, Ansaar Masoet, Sabeegh Philander, Abdullah Francis, Yusuf Brenner and Mogammad Patel. In front are Abdul-Baari Salie, Rayaan Samodien and Nabeel Tofie. Photo ABDUL WAHAAB PATTERSON
group displayed much passion and love for what they do with the hope of inspiring the youth and bringing them closer to the remembrance of Allah SWT. The other groups that performed were Amwaaj-un-nur
(from Athlone), Al-Ghurabaa (of which Abdullah Francis is a member), As-Saadiqoon (this group only started a month earlier), Rugul Madina led by Shaikh Gakeem and ‘favourites’ of the evening, Khudaamul-Islam.
Khudaamul-Islam is apparently guided and coached by the well-known Shaikh Ismaeel Londt. The performers left the crowd mesmerised, chanting along and applauding for more.
The evening turned out to be a success. Abdullah Francis made a brief speech, thanking the audience and fellow nasheed groups for their support. He also made a closing duah to end off the evening’s proceedings.
Egyptian Qamarun performer to visit SA QAMARUN is an Egyptian nasheed recited in the praise of our Beloved Nabi (SAW). Over the decade, we have seen an increase in the recitation of nasheed and qasaaid, especially amongst our youth, with the formation of many nasheed groups, such as Khuddam ul Islam, Aswaatul Madina, Noorul Mubeen, and some female groups as well. These days, dhikrs are incomplete without a rendition of at least a few nasheeds, and classes to learn its art have become quite common. What are nasheed and qasaaid? In the simplest form, across the centuries, poetry developed as an art of expression and, in the case of nasheed and qasaaid, it has excelled in expressing love, praise and remembrance of Nabi Muhammad (SAW), the Sahaabah and Sahabbiyah (may Allah be pleased with them). We have seen poetry such as that of Jalaludin Rumi that today remains to envelope hearts into the romance of Islam and its beauty. Similarly, many authors wrote nasheed and qasaaid and, over the centuries, their lyrics and content have changed. The world has seen many artists invest in this art. Born to an Egyptian family and growing up in Cairo, Mustafa Aatef has stolen hearts from his first rendition of Qamarun and has been doing this since a boy. Graduating academically, Mustafa, a qari, has excelled in the art of nasheed and has rendered recitations globally to diplomats and communities who share greatly in the love of our Beloved Nabi (SAW). Muslim Views
Mostafa Atef, popularly known as Mr Qamarun, will be touring South Africa in December. He will be performing live in concert at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) on December 10. Photo ANONYMOUS BRANDING
Recently, Anonymous Branding caught up with him in Egypt and extended an invitation to him to visit South Africa, which mash, Allah, he has gladly accepted. MR Qamarun will be at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) on December 10, 2016, and the
Qamarun Campaign starts with an explosive mobilisation of nasheed groups invited to post renditions of Qamarun to their social media platform, where the artist will then select a nasheed group to recite with Mustafa Aatef, live. ‘Qamarun’ – meaning ‘brilliant
like the moon’ – arrives in South Africa in Rabi ul Awwal, the beautiful month in which Allahu ta ala’s greatest mercy upon mankind was born and, what a time to feast in his (SAW) remembrance. For a nasheed artist to have a following of over two million on social media alone would extend the extensive love being seeded for our Beloved. Mustafa does extensive work in community outreach programmes and has a drive for the upliftment of women and children, all forming part of the greatest example of humanity that he recites about – our leader Nabi Muhammad (SAW). On his visit to South Africa, Mustafa Aatef is scheduled to visit the international Red Cross for children South Africa, as well as the Parktown Project by Planet Mercy South Africa. Ticket sales are scheduled to go live with Computicket by end of August, however, limited seating means you need to get your tickets as soon as possible. The organisers are also running an early bird special so be sure to get yours as soon as it goes live. To follow Mustafa Aatef’s itinerary, events, biography and, most important, to get your hands on his latest CD (available at Islamic book stores) visit: Facebook: Mustafa Aatef; Email: qamarun.sa@gmail.com
Qamarun Sidanan Nabi Qamarun, Qamarun, Qamarun Sidanan Nabi, Qamarun Wa Jamil, Wa Jamil, Wa Jamil Sidanan Nabi, Wa Jamil x2 Brilliant like the moon... Brilliant like the moon... Brilliant like the moon O our master the Prophet, Brilliant like the moon! Beautiful...Beautiful... Beautiful... O our master the Prophet, Beautiful!
Wa Kafful Mustofa Kal Wardi-Nadiy (Allah Allah ) Wa Itru Ha Yab-Qa Idhaa Massat A-Yaadiy (Allah Allah) x2
And your palm like a flower mist by the dew, Its fragrance everlasting where it touches!
Wa Amma Nawaluha Kullal-’Ibadiy x3 Habibu-llahi Yaa Khairal Baraa Yaa Its generosity ever extended to all humanity! So beloved to Allah O you the best of creation! Wa Laa Zhil-lu Lahu Bal Kana Nuura (Allah Allah ) Ta Na-Lash-Shamsa Minhu Wal Budura (Allah Allah ) x2 Shade-less but brilliant you ever are The sun and stars feed off your light!
Wa Lam Yakunil Huda Laula Zhuhura x3 Wa Kullul Kauni Ana Rubinuri Taha
Guidance would have not been possible without you You have summoned the cosmos willingly!