'Sahur Kita' a friend in the early morning hours

Sahur Kita; Hosts: Eko Patrio and Ulfa Dwiyanti; SCTV; 3 a.m. - 4:30 a.m.

JAKARTA (JP): Do you want to make an easy Rp 1 million while partaking of sahur (the predawn meal) this Ramadhan fasting month?

Then tune in to Sahur Kita and guess the answer to a simple question related to Islam, such as "what is the argument for fasting?". If you still cannot come out as a winner, then there is another chance to land the money. All you have to do is come up with a funny rhyming poem.

Sahur Kita, hosted by comedians Eko Patrio and Ulfa Dwiyanti, is intended to repeat the success of last year's show (although that only offered prizes of between Rp 100,000 and Rp 200,000). The show began on Monday and will run daily until Dec. 26.

"Last year, Sahur Kita was regarded as the top audience attraction because of the compactness of Eko and Ulfa," entertainment tabloid Citra said in its most recent edition in an article Perang Sahur' di TV Pelawak Laris ("Sahur War" on TV, Comedians in Demand).

Some viewers are tuning in because of the fantastic prizes, while others are fans of the two hosts, who behave little differently from their usual stage personas. Eko is part of the Patrio Group of comedians and a presenter on gossip show KISS, while Ulfa stars in such shows as Ngerumpi di Mall and Laris Manis.

Of course, there is always the question if they are appropriate presenters for an Islamic programs. At times, they do tend to overact or appear patronizing to viewers. Yet it is also understandable that they must enliven an early morning show, or else the audience would fall asleep.

However, it can be a friend to Muslims taking their predawn meal, and the remedy to bring them out of their sleep.

It is part of what Citra called the "war" of early morning shows during the fasting month, including Indosiar's Pengantar Anda Sahur, presented by Shahnaz Haque and Ginandjar Empat Sekawan, TPI's Mozaik Ramadhan hosted by comedian Komeng and Rheina Mariana and ANteve's Sahur-Sahur.

But Sahur Kita has its own specific qualities. With the set designed as a radio talk show, there are cassettes, a microphone and discs on the shelves and people in a "control room" in the background. It makes the show look interesting, dynamic and informal, very different from the wooden sets of the other shows.

The Ramadhan design last year was a bit more interesting. There was a door connecting to the room, a big glass window behind the presenter's table and a green colored room giving the appearance of a radio station. It appears more real this time, such as the small window. Eko and Ulfa, in the blue-dominated room, look like two small fish swimming in the deep sea.

The show is a combination of music and Islamic teachings, all presented in a joking, light way. It consists of Kontak Pemirsa (audience contact), Lomba Pantun (a traditional poetry competition), Dakwah (Islamic teachings) and Bincang-bincang dengan Artis (interviews with celebrities). Occasionally, there is live music, such as last Wednesday when Qotrunada appeared as the guest star.

Although the show does not give a great deal of information about Islam, it is still good to test one's knowledge about the religion.

So back to the question, "What is the argument for fasting?" Try to find out the answer, because the question may be repeated before the show ends its run. Another question to ponder is, "Who is the prophet who was able to part the sea?" Brush up on the information, and a hefty Ramadhan payout may be the answer to your prayers. (Mohammad Yazid)