Yvonne and the Nasheed
I’ve had a bee in my kufi about the way that Nasheed concerts work, and Yvonne Ridley comments on it further, albeit a little vociferously. The point she makes about not joining the Police Force is a bit strange in that I don’t believe you can change a system unless it is from within and she does love this Britain Bashing thing she has going on. This does appeal to first generation immigrant muslims quite a bit I have noticed, but may be little cynical me sees it as just a grab for headlines. As a presenter, she certainly is no Paxman.
Coming back to Nasheeds, I personally like listening to them however I have some issues with some artists. Very often groups such as 786 and so on, are emulating a style of music which just sounds a little alien to me. Together with that the lyrics are a little wanting if not repetitive. Artists such as Dawud Wharnsby and Zain Bhikha write lyrics and nasheeds which focus on issues which to me seem more relevant than the simplistic ‘Do Dua’ by 786. Together with that, what really grates with my is the cynical way that Sami Yusuf is using the Nasheed market. As a bit of background for the non-muslims out there, music is considered forbidden in Islam but percussion is fine. This is due to the intoxicating/distracting nature of music which would mean you lose focus on what your life is about.
Now our Mr Yusuf, released his last album in 2 versions: With Music, and Percussion only. My argument here is that if people want to hear music they will hear music. So have music on your album and say it is, but don’t try to open up sales to a market which wouldn’t be there for you by adding a Percussion only version. As an artist, are you not compromising your artistic integrity by allowing a song which has been written with a particular melody in mind to be altered in order to appeal to a broader market?
