There seems to be no easy way to put it, so I will just simply say it as it is: Who would have thought anyone could pull off such a beautiful Marriage between two seemingly incompatible couple?
Trendy, flamboyant and widely-publicized Reality Show has duly wedded itself to the conservative, low-profile and deeply respectful Religion?
Strange but true.
Trust the Malaysians to come up with something so ostentatious and wonderful, with all the hype, attention and media frenzy, almost screaming the text of the Qu'ran in our faces.
With the various controversies brewing in the distant, and the many love-kisses blown to the young Stars of the show, or should I say, Imam Muda, I believe this brilliant reality show shows one of two important things.
Firstly, it did not try to traumatise its audience with the holiest text of the Qu'ran, nor did it slap Islamic propaganda all over our naivety. What the organisers did was to wed Islam with reality, the reality that technology and the youth are the very essence of the future, one that we cannot ignore any further.
Secondly, it embraces that very fact and created love / hype for not only previously or otherwise unknown adolescents, but sowed the seeds of Islamism within the hearts of the future generation; the generation that will determine the death or prosperity of Islamism itself. A wise masterstroke guised in the wrapping of idolatry and teenage dreams, as Katy Perry would put it!
After reading the comments and responses thrown out by Elliot, Yiping and from the previous course, I do agree that Religion is a pretty hard pill to swallow, and it always has been. What we see here is merely the beginning, and I do not believe it will be the last of it. All around the world, people, religion and politics and waking up to the fact that we can no longer ignore the voices and power of the youth, the very generation that will carry the tides of our future.
Taking a step back, it does seem to question the real purpose of the reality show and cast a little shade of duplicity over it. Are the organisers pushing the limits of Islamism’s once all-too-conservative front? Or are they twisting the very social and religious fabric that had held a nation strong and secure for years?
America came up with American Idol, the rest of the world followed in awe and marinated the rest of the sodality in utter idolatry. Malaysia is merely innovating what was supposedly a marketing stroke of genius, but as it turns out, it did more good for the publicity and preservation of Islamism in the modern context, than it did for merely creating idols for craved fans.
There are probably so much more to raise and prick about this "Juicy" topic, but I think this shall suffice, for now, at least. Whatever the case, I am sure it is a fantastic marketing concept that triumphed resoundingly and urged religious conservationists a little more to the edge, which is a win-win situation, whichever way you choose to look at the coin!
=)
Durwin
Hi Durwin, you have conveniently offered an alternative perspective to the debate. Elliot and Yiping feel uncomfortable with the show, but your response coincides with the average Malaysian viewer, who seems to like the show. I like the way you justify your reaction: you explain that this is an example of religion redefining itself within a modern context, and not losing anything of its essence by doing so.
ReplyDeleteHey, you have very insightful points with convincing material to support. Surely Imam Muda servers more than just to create idols. The show has its distinct innovation to combine the two things otherwise do not have any link at all.
ReplyDeleteHi! While I agree with Yiping, it is certainly not the first instance of a religion trying to merge 2 things together to "redefine itself within a modern context" as Durwin put it. What about today's modern mega-churches where their praise and worship sessions in the form of rock concerts can draw huge crowds?
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comments, it is wonderful to learn so many perspectives and see the different shades of arguments at once.
ReplyDeleteElliot @ Churches (technically speaking, there is only one that has the ability to organize a mega-concert) have the liberation to do what they like, and I, for one, have no right to object, for I am not a Christian of that church.
Kudos to you being able to understand and see that it is definitely not the first time religion is using / abusing modern activities to appeal to the youth and increase subscription.
While the motives may be questionable, the effect is obviously clear, it works. The religion is happy, the people are happy, and nobody is hurt except extreme conservationists. Whatever the case, I do appreciate the effort these religion put in to stay relevant in a rapidly changing world that will wipe them out in a flash-flood of media, hypocrisy and shady businesses --- like what happened to the Red Indians and Shaolin Monks.
Yping @ Yes! The show really connects the two elements together, which otherwise would not be attractive in either sense at all!