Presence Of Tahfiz Students At Concert Draws Flak

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Perikatan Nasional Youth chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari has questioned the rationale behind inviting tahfiz students to a recent concert in Selangor.
The Pasir Mas MP was referring to viral videos of individuals donning skullcaps and head scarves, believed to be tahfiz students, at the Kepci Music Fest held in conjunction with fast-food chain KFC’s 50th anniversary, at the Melawati Stadium in Shah Alam, last Saturday.
“To those who invited tahfiz students (judging by their attire) to the KFC concert, I hope you will be more sensible.
“What’s the reason for inviting religious school students to a concert like that? What values are you trying to inculcate?” Fadhli asked on Facebook yesterday.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and his wife Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail reportedly graced the three-hour concert.
PM Anwar Ibrahim and ex-DPM Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail at the concertPopular acts entertained the over 8,000-strong crowd including Amy Search, Siti Nurhaliza, Ella, Misha Omar, and Bunkface, among others.
Malaysiakini was unable to independently verify whether the group of students Fadhli referred to were tahfiz or religious school students.
Students out of place
Elaborating, Fadhli said he was saddened after watching videos of the religious students at the concert.
“I’m saddened and disturbed after watching religious students looking dumbfounded (at the venue), shocked perhaps.
“I don’t want to comment about Anwar attending the concert, make your own judgements,” he added.
PN Youth chief Ahmad Fadhli ShaariPAS mouthpiece Harakahdaily also carried an article on the issue.
“As a father of a tahfiz school-going child, I am bewildered after seeing photos (of the concert). The students have been entrusted by their parents (to the school) for the noble purpose of memorising the Quran.
“When I sent my eldest child to the Amalillah Alquran Academy (Akmal), I was told that good surrounding is important to help children memorise. Teachers have their role in school and parents have their own at home.
“It is crucial to monitor what the children see and hear. It is utterly disappointing to see these children being taken to a concert filled with songs, and wild dancing,” the article’s writer Nurul Uslam Mohamed Yusoff said.
The viral videos also showed groups of youths dancing during the concert.
Is this Madani govt identity?
In a related development, independent preacher-cum-Malaysiakini columnist Wan Ji Wan Hussin also slammed the issue.
“There’s a person closely resembling Communications and Digital Minister (Fahmi Fadzil) in the video, and there are comments alleging he is the person responsible for failing to shape an Islamic identity for the Madani government, to the extent of affecting the coalition’s chances in the recently concluded state elections.
“Now, there seem to be headscarf-clad children (at the concert). A lot of people commented that these are tahfiz school students invited to attend the programme. I don’t know who organised the programme.
“Regardless, I think it’s a form of madness to invite tahfiz children to such a programme. There is a perception that the programme was organised by the Madani government, due to the presence of the person resembling Fahmi there,” Wan Ji wrote on Facebook.
Whether or not the allegations are true, Wan Ji reminded that the Madani government’s role is to shape a civilised society in line with religious values.
“Programmes that have people dancing like drunkards are not only uncivilised but are far from Islamic values.”
Malaysiakini has reached out to the concert organiser for comment and awaiting a reply. - Mkini

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