'Nasyid' contest to highlight Zheng He 600th voyage celebration
'Nasyid' contest to highlight Zheng He 600th voyage celebration
Suherdjoko, The Jakarta Post, Semarang
Many history books note that the great Chinese explorer Zheng He,
whose 600th anniversary voyage to Indonesia is being celebrated
this year, was a devout Muslim.
Zheng He, the son of Ma Ha Zhi, is also believed to have
helped spread Islam along the northern coast of Java, including
Semarang, where he and more than 200 ships landed in 1405.
Because of this, the committee organizing Zheng He's
anniversary in the city has decided to include an Islamic
cultural performance in the commemoration to be held between Aug.
1 and Aug. 7.
"We understand that Zheng He was a Muslim and so there should
be an Islamic dimension to the celebrations, which will be
represented by a nasyid competition," committee member Pek Hong
Siong said.
The nasyid (Islamic acappella singing) will involve groups
from across Central Java and be held between 4 and Aug. 6 at the
Central Java Trade and Promotion Center on Marina Beach.
Participants will compete for the Governor's Trophy and a money
prize totaling Rp 12 million (US$1,263).
"We hope that by organizing the nasyid, the celebrations will
also attract Muslims," Pek said.
Interest in the competition had been high with some 30 groups
already registered for the event; most from devout Muslim areas
in Central Java, Pek said.
Competition rules state the groups must sing two songs of
their choice over a 15-minute period. Each group must number
between four to seven singers.
"The juries have been picked from various places, including
lecturers from Semarang State University and senior nasyid
singers in Semarang," he said.
Semarang's Muslim residents welcomed the idea of the
competition.
"We appreciate the (organizers') goodwill. Most of the
committee members are Chinese-Indonesians, but they are holding a
nasyid competition, something that is rarely seen in this city,"
Budi Purwanto, a resident from Kagok, said.
The nasyid is one of a range of events being held to
commemorate the anniversary, which include a trade exhibition and
a traditional Chinese barongsay parade, or lion dance. The venues
for the anniversary celebrations are the trade center, the Tay
Kak Sie and the Sam Poo Kong temples.
Zheng He was the trade and politics emissary of Yung Lo, a
Chinese Emperor of the Ming Dynasty. He and his 27,000 men
traveled throughout Asia to promote peace, trade and friendship
for 28 years.