SIBU: Nasyid festival can be developed as a tourist draw similar to other contemporary music festivals, said Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg.
“Nasyid today is a lot different than it used to be … compared to my old days.
“This is because in this new era, it uses minus one and even has videos that show the environment and surrounding area.
“It can be further developed to help promote our tourism industry,” Abang Johari said when he officiated at the Sarawak Nasyid Festival held at Sibu Islamic Complex on Saturday night.
The chief minister said even though the nasyid festival was no longer organised at the national level, Sarawak would still organise the annual festival as a platform to bring the ummah closer together.
“It’s a very practical art, like the zikir… the memories are also an art and when we hear the lyrics, the grooves… sometimes it’s easy to remember and memorise,” he said.
He assured that the state government would bear the cost of accommodation and meal for the festival participants.
“I was discussing with Assistant Minister in the Chief Minister’s Department (Islamic Affairs) Datuk Abdul Rahman Junaidi that maybe the nasyid groups which participate in the festival next time…maybe we will bear the cost of accommodation and meal for the participants.”
Also present at the event were Education, Science and Technological Research Assistant Minister Dr Annuar Rapaee and Sarawak Islamic Council president Datu Misnu Taha.
