THE YOUNG IMAMS

By – Hesmel Faznee Faisal

Salam, to fellow bloggers and readers of this self portrayed blog!

I have been saying it once and didn’t expect to have repeated it again.

There is no such thing as a shortcut in life; not through the faithful help of a “backdoor man” (I was not referring to that politician, Jose!) or any reality TV programmes to attain success. Everyone has to go through the hardship before they can really enjoy the fruit of success!

To attain popularity, one must really work hard to achieve that and the popularity is earned not through popular media but through recognition of one’s work!

The most sickening part is when people try to create a bridge between religion with the glamorous world and the filthiest thing to do is to choose a religious leader through a reality tv programme!

The latest report on “Imam Muda” which is currently being aired through ASTRO’s OASIS suggests that “the young Muslim clerics” are being portrayed as “superstars on Malaysian television” when as a true cleric, one should remain humble and put humility ahead of them!

We had seen a form of religious farce previously through Akademi Al-Quran, another reality tv programme where winners were chosen not on their basis of understanding of the Quran but on how good they were in reciting the holy book.

We had also seen how Akademi Fantasia had put a lot of collateral damage in our local entertainment industry when the real talented artistes are being sidelined by instant produced artistes!

Can anyone imagine the fate of our religion; should we rest our fate on the Imams who won recognition not through their credibility or their sound mind in Islam but through the SMS voting system by viewers?

Would we want to have our prayers being lead by an Imam who were chosen from a television programme?

Muslims are facing with a lot of threats, both domestic and foreign. Not through psychical but mental as new ideas and perceptions on Islam are being spread by groups from the radicals, extremists or the liberals. What can be expected from an Imam who was chosen from a TV programme to face such challenges, only time would tell.

True to its word, Dr Kassim Ahmad once said that Islam as we know now, is merely a form of religious breed and were inherited by our ancestors and not the true teaching of Islam, where the holy Quran IS the only book for reference and brought by Prophet Muhammad 1400 years ago.

Fazlur Rahman, the Islamic scholar said Al-Quran is a book for those who have high intellectual thinking and use their brain to think about the wonders inside it. God had even touched on the subject in the Quran;

“This is a Book full of Blessings that we have revealed unto you so people ponder upon its verses and men of intellect may reflect.” (38:29)

While our Islamic preachers were busy dictating other Muslims with petty issues such as the correct dressing for a Muslim or to issue a decree that the ESQ is haram due to the elements of uniting humans as the servant of God with the Almighty, the ulamak had missed out the main point of Islam as the purest religion; never try to associate the glamorous world with religion.

Why didn’t any of the ulamak buffoons share their thoughts on the “Imam Muda” programme?

I wish to ask readers of this self pitiful blog one simple question;

What are the differences between the contestants from Akademi Fantasia and Imam Muda?

The answer is quite simple and direct. There is none and as a matter of fact, both are the same; they are victims of the corporate media giants who are using them to milk out more money from viewers. I pity and envy them. They gain popularity but at the same time being used to attain fortune!

Kita Kan Tersesat Pabila Malam Menjemput Bulan Semula Ke Sangkar Waktu – The Salam Connection.