October 07 2003 at 02:39PM
By Staff Reporter
The Muslim Judicial Council has declared the Idols talent show forbidden - the day after city Muslim stars Nazneen Leeman and her cousin Wafeeq Saffodien were voted off.
The MJC's first deputy president, Sheikh Ihsaan Hendricks, said in a statement on Tuesday that it had no other alternative but to express the Islamic position regarding the show and declared it "forbidden (haraam) in Islam".
It cited "the nakedness and indecent exposure of the participants; the immoral lyrics of songs and the use of venues such as casinos, rave clubs, dance arenas".
The MJC said that for these reasons and others, Muslims should not participate in Idols or any other show of that nature.
In his statement, Hendricks said: "Islam allows moderate forms of entertainment and recreation.
"Muslims throughout the world enjoy celebrations on festive occasions and at times of relaxation.
"Concerning the Idols talent show, the MJC has no alternative but to express the Islamic position regarding these activities: This type of show is forbidden (haraam) in Islam."
Since the start of the show Nazneen, 17, and Wafeeq, 18, have been the subject of hot debate in the Muslim community - divided between those who have cheered and those who have jeered the teenagers.
Nazneen, in particular, had been the focus of discussion, as many Muslims viewed her choice of outfits for the show as undesirable.
They argue that in Islam it is incumbent on Muslims, on reaching puberty, to adhere to a specified public dress code. For women this means covering from head to toe, and for men from the navel to the knees.
Others have argued that at 17, Nazneen is still young and should not be scrutinised or judged too harshly.
In some quarters people felt it was un-Islamic for Muslims to participate in a show that ostensibly promoted Western pop culture.
On Monday, asked about the MJC stand on the show, Hendricks said: "Up until recently, I did not even know what Idols was. The MJC denies that we spoke to Die Kaapse Son."
But the MJC finally decided to issue a statement on Tuesday.
In an Internet poll by Muslim community radio station Voice of the Cape, 65.6 percent of respondents were unhappy with Muslims participating in Idols; 18.8 percent supported Nazneen and Wafeeq; and 15.6 percent were undecided.
Programme chief Achmat Rylands said the station had fielded many calls on the issue. These had also reflected a mixed sentiment.
Nazneen's father, Toyer Leeman, speaking hours before his daughter was voted off the show, said his family had had "no pressure" from the Muslim community about her taking part or her manner of dress.
"If there is anyone out there who has a problem, they should come to me."
He had made sure his daughter would be exempted from performing in the month of Ramadaan.
In an interview with Voice of the Cape, Nazneen and Wafeeq said they were committed Muslims.
Nazneen said: "I believe as a Muslim you can do everything in the right time and place ... I make my salaah (prayers) and make sure I don't forget where I come from."
Wafeeq said: "My father is a muallim (Muslim teacher), so is my mother and I am a committed Muslim. That makes it easy to remember I am a Muslim and I often speak to Nazneen to remind ourselves of that."
This article was originally published on page 1 of The Cape Argus on October 07, 2003
http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?click...30065&set_id=1
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