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Muslim music channel Islamizes pop culture
A newly launched Egyptian music channel that aims to bring Islamic values to the MTV generation arrived on satellite channels across the Middle East and Europe in a bid to help young Muslims make the connetion between their Islamic way of life and contemporary art forms. The channel called, 4Shbab or for the youth, is Egypt's first contribution to the music television industry. It aims to create a Muslim domain out of the predominantly western art form of pop music as well as hip hop and is seen as an alternative to music video networks that do not promote values compatible with Muslim culture.At the center of 4Shbab's goals is defining the Muslim identity for young generations who strive to find a medium in pop culture that speaks to their values and experiences, something which Muhammed Abu Haiba, the founder of 4Shbab, says is very hard to do given the lack of Islamic pop culture venues. "A divided identity is what Muslims are experiencing in these times," Abu Haiba told AlArabiya.net. "Young Muslims are bombarded with a slew of non-Islamic cultural values through music that contradicts their life styles, and forces them to believe one thing and watch another," he explained. Twenty-three-year-old Sameh Ali concurs and told AlArabiya.net that he rarely finds an art form that is both respectful of Islamic Arab culture and has a modern appeal. "It is either I watch anasheeds--traditional religious songs--or I watch 50 cents and other rap and hip hop that clashes with my values," he told AlArabiya.net. "Muslim youth want to find something cool to engage with without compromising their Islam." This is where 4Shbab comes in. "It makes it possible to be Muslim and have a unique pop culture that promotes Muslim values," Abu Haiba said. Posted by: Fred 2009-03-11 |
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