'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.