Kota Bharu declared Islamic city in lavish ceremony - The Star: 02-10-2005

Sunday October 2, 2005

Kota Bharu declared Islamic city in lavish ceremony

By Ian Mcintyre

IMPOSING: The new landmark in Kota Bharu marking its status as an Islamic city situated at the main roundabout.

KOTA BHARU: The Kelantan state capital was declared an “Islamic City” in a lavish ceremony before 55,000 people here that featured a concert performance by Akademi Fantasia star Mawi. Sultan of Kelantan, Tuanku Ismail Petra, made the declaration amid cheers and applause from the people who packed the Sultan Mohamad IV Stadium here last night.

Fifteen horsemen drew a carriage that carried a scroll, which was handed to the Sultan who read the declaration at 10.40pm. As soon as the declaration was made fireworks burst the sky and the crowd cheered.  Also gracing the event was Raja Perempuan Besar of Kelantan Tengku Anis Tengku Abdul Hamid and other members of state royalty.

Present were Mentri Besar Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat and PAS officials, including deputy president Nasharuddin Mat Isa, vice-president Husam Musa and organising chairman Takiyuddin Hassan. Conspicuously missing was PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang. State Umno leaders, despite saying earlier they would attend the event, were also not seen.

Several PAS religious scholars, including their Dewan Ulama head Datuk Harun Taib, stayed away as they had earlier frowned upon the idea of inviting Mawi to the event because the singer was deemed to be a product of a show that lacked Islamic virtues.

For the young people of Kelantan, starved of mainstream entertainment for the past 15 years under PAS rule, it was an occasion to rejoice. Other artistes who took to the stage were popular nasyid group Rabbani and singer-songwriter M. Nasir. With his parents, Felda settler Ani Ahmad, 65, and Ramlah Sarlan, 58, in the stands, Mawi belted out songs that were approved by the organisers prior to the show.

The audience, a mixture of the elderly and the young, obeyed the state government regulation of segregating single men, women and families. The event was telecast live via eight giant video screens to PAS bases in Kedah, Terengganu and the party headquarters in Kuala Lumpur. Takiyuddin said the event was a manifestation of a 15-year plan which was formulated when PAS came to power in Kelantan.

Source: The Star: 02-10-2005