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Are They Islamic Radios?

Respected Ulama

As Salaamu Alaikum

I desperately require guidance in the following matter and seek the same from your esteemed selves. The powerful effect of the media on the masses is self evident. Historically Muslims in this country were completely marginalised from the use of the mass media. However, after the dismantling of apartheid new opportunities have opened. Among them was the granting of community radio licenses.

In KwaZulu-Natal the only radio station run by Muslims is Radio Al-Ansaar which comes on air for approximately one month each year. Radio Al-Ansaar has become extremely popular among the general public. It’s listenership has increased tremendously from previous years. Part of its popularity among the more Deeni inclined people is due to the support of the Ulama. Such support has been by means of gracing the studios of the station, participating in any of its programmes by telephone or allowing the airing of one’s talks on the station. However, Radio Al-Ansaar has adopted a path which contradicts many aspects of Deen, such aspects which have always been passionately guarded by the Ulama-e-Haq. Some of the more serious aspects are as follows:

1. Not concerned with promoting only the correct aqaa’id. Rather the Ahle-Baatil are given ample opportunity to promote their ideas. The Ahle-Bidah promote Mazaars, Urs. Moulood and other various practices, some of which at the very least border on shirk. The modernists have a field day as they themselves are in control of the station. The very foundations of Deen are being shaken and there is hardly any voice of protest against this serious injustice to Deen.

2. The laws of Hijaab are flagrantly violated. This is absolutely glaring and requires no further elucidation.

3. Music is played with impunity. Some of it is called “signature music” and hence it would appear that it is not a problem. It has been established that those in-charge were advised regarding the so-called “signature music” but did not see the need to stop it.

4. Radio Al-Ansaar by means of its “fairs” and “conventions” further created the platform for many prohibitions to be committed on a mass scale. The most shocking was the “competition” it held at its last convention calling on people to mimic the presenters of Channel Islam. A woman imitated Mufti A. K. Hoosen answering a question, and won a prize!! Is this not mockery of Deen?

5. The nightline programme is a forum where many un-Islamic ideals are promoted. Everybody has their say. The end result is obvious. Also, the following specific incidents will clearly indicate the lack of any direction at Radio Al-Ansaar:

* A revert Muslim had questioned the grave-worship that occurs at various Mazaars and likened it to the ancestral worship of the Blacks. The next day a damage control programme took place and a Mr. Rafiq Hassan strongly assured listeners that there is no problem in going to the Mazaars. The attempt was to cover up grave worship and make everything seem ok. A Moulana Moosa was also on the panel and every time he tried to say something to state the correct position, he was sidelined and his comments were shrugged off.

* Mr. Hassan also aired his view that one should not be narrow minded in regard to customs and cultures. Cultural clothes according to him are fine and women may wear Saris if they wish.

* A “Smile for Coffee” promotion was also extensively promoted. Any female who comes into a certain coffee shop and smiles at the owner will be given a free cup of coffee. How many women would have gone to smile at the man behind the counter? How many people would be responsible for this sin?

* Birthdays and birthday parties are extensively promoted. A host also asked a Muslim restaurant owner on air to consider having a “ladies night” at the restaurant. The host also encouraged listeners to book their birthday parties at the restaurant being featured at that time.

* A “beautician” who applies the make-up for models in beauty contests, and is also well versed in Urdu, hosts a regular Urdu programme. She would read a Hadith and explain. She advised in the light of the Hadith of maintaining good relations with neighbours that one should visit the neighbours and congratulate them at the time of their celebrations such as Diwali, etc.

To add insult to injury, all the above takes place in the name of promoting Deen. Muslim businessmen are contributing huge amounts towards this organisation in the belief that they are supporting Deen.

The problem is compounded by the fact that among all the un-Islamic aspects that are presented as part of Deen, the talks of some Ulama-e-Haq are also aired. This to some extent provides the rubber stamp to the station and even Deeni inclined people find the legitimacy to keep the station switched on. Many of the common people call the station on “Islamic Radio.” They are not in a position to sift through the content. They simply switch on and absorb the right and wrong since this is coming from an “Islamic Radio.” While there is no doubt that some people would derive benefit from the programmes of the Ulama-e-Haq, the overwhelming harm of such tacit approval far outweigh the benefit. Indeed, had the Ulama who use the station publicly and widely condemned the un-Islamic aspects of the station - and repeatedly did so in order to make new listeners aware of the reality - the harm would have been drastically reduced. But that unfortunately is not the situation.

While Radio AI-Ansaar is a seasonal station, Channel Islam has become an integral part of the lives of numerous people. There was always a need for an alternate to all the Haraam activities that people engage in and Channel Islam was initially enthusiastically embraced by Deeni conscious people as the pure Deeni alternative. This acceptance was due to the presence of many Ulama in positions of decision making. However, in a short time the dream was shattered. It seems that by and large the underlying objective is to provide “Deeni” content in an entertaining manner. Hence often entertainment takes over and Deen is compromised.

• Modernist views gain ample exposure.
• Modernist women are presented as role models.
• Woman presenters interview men and much chuckling and laughing goes on between them.
• The Anasheed are presented like pop songs with a “top 20 listing.”
• Channel Islam has formed an unholy alliance with Radio Al-Ansaar and broadcast the competition where Mufti A.K. Hoosen was imitated.
• Muslim “homosexuals” were interviewed causing much consternation and confusion.
• The Eid talk from Flower Road was broadcast including the Salaami after the programme.
• A young girl was interviewed who went all alone to Jordan to study. She was congratulated on her courage.
• Girls who completed Matric were congratulated on their passes and given “duas” for on their intention to go to university.
• An Alim presenter had to read out an advert. The advert was for “funky clothes” and “girls tops and pants at reduced prices.”
• A nazam programme is hosted wherein young girls phone in and request nazams. Callers are also asked some unnecessary questions.
• A programme on role-models was held. A local Muslim cricketer was presented as a role model and was interviewed on air. The same cricketer together with another Muslim cricketer were photographed in the local newspaper posing with shorts-clad girls from Castle Lager offering them a drink.
• Channel Islam’s website now contains photographs and an also informs that they will now be broadcasting on DSTV.

Here again the presence and participation of Ulama has leant much credence to the “only

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