By Bernama Lifestyle Reporter
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 28 (Bernama) -- The recitation of selawat, traditionally heard at religious gatherings, mosques and prayer halls, echoed through several major roads and popular public areas in the capital last night.
Through the ‘Salawat On The Move’ initiative, a group of tahfiz students joined Egyptian singer Mostafa Atef on a Hop-On Hop-Off bus journey from Halab Gate Restaurant to several Kuala Lumpur landmarks, including the Kuala Lumpur Tower, Central Market, Dataran Merdeka, the Petronas Twin Towers and Pavilion Kuala Lumpur, while reciting selawat throughout the journey.
Ikhlas.com chief executive officer Ikhlas Kamarudin said the programme aims to bring selawat into public spaces in a relaxed setting so that it can become part of people's daily lives.
“Selawat is something that can actually be practised anywhere. So, through ‘Salawat On The Move’, we want people to see and understand that this form of worship is simple and easy to practise.
“We want to make selawat more accessible to young people, while fostering a deeper appreciation of the Prophet Muhammad in a less formal setting,” he told a press conference on ‘Mostafa Atef: Salawat On The Move’ here last night.
He said the initiative, held in conjunction with the launch of Jejak Tamadun Mesir: 8H6M Cairo together with the nasyid singer, aims to rekindle the spirit of Maulidur Rasul through the practice of selawat while travelling through the heart of the capital.
Meanwhile, Mostafa said the programme provided him with an opportunity to learn about the Malaysian approach to salawat, which he described as having its own unique character compared with the tradition in Egypt.
“In Egypt, there are various styles of salawat, including the Cairo, Sa’id, Janoub and Alexandria styles. Malaysia also has its own distinctive style, and I am fascinated by the way Muslims here recite salawat in the form of nasyid.
“That is why I am learning the Malay language, so that I can sing in the Malaysian musical tradition,” he said, explaining that the differences between Egyptian and Malaysian salawat can be seen in the use of musical instruments, melodies and performance styles.
The 36-year-old singer said the ‘Salawat On The Move’ concept had previously been carried out in Egypt five years ago and received a positive response.
“Everyone by the roadside could join in the salawat, regardless of whether they were nasyid fans or not,” he said.
-- BERNAMA