Radical Islam political party uses rock n roll recruiting

Straits Times ^ | Oct. 3, 2004 | AP

[bunkerhill7]

Malaysia's PAS stages concert to improve image

KUALA LUMPUR - Taking a break from fiery sermons, Malaysia's fundamentalist Islamic opposition group has enlisted rock singers to loosen up its image and help it reach out to younger people.

The Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party organised a concert late on Saturday - a significant shift in political tactics after it was defeated by Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's moderate, multiethnic ruling coalition in March general elections.

More than 1,500 people - mainly party supporters - attended the sold-out gig in a hall at the party's headquarters in Kuala Lumpur, paying RM$5 (US$1.30) each for a two-hour performance by local rock artists such as the Blues Gang and a musician-turned-preacher, Mohamad Akil Hayy.

The show was hardly a rock 'n' roll free-for-all.

All the performers were men, since the party's leadership frowns on female entertainers. Male and female audience members were kept separate, except for parents with children.

The party's youth chief Salahuddin Ayub described the music, which included religious songs as well as secular ditties that focused on family values and other moral messages, as 'non-controversial, clean entertainment that is allowed in Islam'.

'We need to show youths that there is an alternative entertainment free from the trappings of vice and immoral activity,' he said. 'We hope this concert will be the start of a new approach to show ... that we are a forward-thinking party.'

The party has previously protested concerts held in Kuala Lumpur by Western artists including Michael Jackson, Mariah Carey and Linkin Park, saying such entertainment could corrupt young people among the country's Malay Muslim majority.

The fundamentalist party was nearly obliterated in elections in March, when Datuk Seri Abdullah's coalition won 90 per cent of the 219-seat parliament.

In Kelantan, the state where it holds power, the party has banned rock concerts and gambling, restricted alcohol sales and introduced a dress code for Muslim women. -- AP

[bunkerhill7]

Kelantan is the Malaysian state where they have chopped people's heads off and stoned women. Calling Cat Stevens?

[Enterprise]

"And that's the story 'bout Ahab the Arab The Sheik of the Burnin' sand"

Instead of Cat Stevens, how 'bout Ray Stevens?

[Paleo Conservative]

Calling Cat Stevens?

He's being followed by a moon shadow.

[A.J.Armitage]

You gotta fight!

For your right!

To not party!

[Pearls Before Swine]

He's being followed by a moon shadow.

I hadn't made the connection. Good one!

[FITZ]

enlisted rock singers to loosen up its image

This could be the beginning of the end of Islam --- Islam is all about fascism and total control over people's lives --- there can be no loosening up --- if the followers ever begin to think for themselves the whole thing collapses.

[Nachum]

Roll a doobie for Allah

[avenir]

'We need to show youths that there is an alternative entertainment free from the trappings of vice and immoral activity,' he said.

To quote Summer Storm: "If it ain't risky, it ain't rock 'n roll, man."

[Uncle Meat]

The party has previously protested concerts held in Kuala Lumpur by Western artists including Michael Jackson, Mariah Carey and Linkin Park, saying such entertainment could corrupt young people among the country's Malay Muslim majority.

Can't say I blame them there.That's scraping the bottom of the barrel as far as music goes.