Suggestions for 2011

Salaam. I remember the first year when this station went live across Glasgow well over ten years ago- there was something very spiritually captivating that touched  the soul- there was a simplicity and humility that truly relfected the spirit of the sacred month. Over the years the only programme that has really maintained that standard and momentum has been the late night topical discussion programme that covers political/ current affairs issues.

I have been truly disappointed with the quality of programme content and especially with the youth programme. I don't wish to make negative criticisms but I will leave you all with a few points to consider. The personalities and voices of presenters will emit and reflect the inner state of their imaan. The youth show that aired last year between 4-6pm was particularly upsetting and offputting. We should try to avoid selecting youth presenters who reflect the current mentality of a wide sector of culturally misguided young Muslims. We should have younger people who SET STANDARDS as good role models. In other words they should adopt good tarbiyyah, adab and try to remember what Islam and ramadan is all about. Ramadan is a truly holy and sacred time. We are all supposed to make use of the month to gain closeness with Allah through our beloved prophets (pbuh) example and by connecting with the teachings contained in the Quran. What that means in practice is to emit a sense of awareness about oneself and consciously try to adopt tawa. That does not mean you do not have fun. It is important to emit love, light-heartedness and bring people to Islam in the most beautiful way. In my view there were some major flaws in content and production input that were disturbing. You have Muslim sisters and brothers in their late teens and twenties being quite precocious and flirtatious. Also they exhibited no tarbiyah. I distinclty remember one sister who was particularly egotistical and annoying.. She at one point chastised a fellow sister who was co-presenting for addressing her  as 'bajee' as it made her 'feel old'. I felt hurt and offended for that poor sister who was chastised on air for having good manners and tarbiyyah. The sister who was chastising was incredibly rude and obnoxious and it sent out a bad message. Muslims should be encouraged to try and adopt good manners and part of those good manners is to address ones elders appropriately. There was one programme on which some Muslim 'pop stars' were being interviewed and I was shocked at the level of idolising and sexual innuendos. I think certain Muslims are truly losing the plot and what really comes through is the massive egos and vanity of a large majority of presenters who come onto that show.

If you wish to cultivate the feeling of spirituality, good community and inclusiveness, tasawuff comes from within and then resounds outwards. Set standards of spiritual beauty and magnificence. Do not try to emulate flawed western culture by mimicking poor imitations. Using horribly common terms like 'shout out' etc is quite offputting. There are too many fame seekers using Allah's beautiful deen and message for their own selfish ambitions but Allah knows what is in the hearts of each of His slaves.

Radio Ramadan has lost its way and needs to get back to basics and try to get back in touch with what Ramadan is really about. What it is not about is gratifying the nafz and providing a platform for bida and jahillyah.

I hope my comments will be taken on board positively. I do not wish to be negative or berating so forgive me if this is how my words come across. I know that there are many who share my views and my only intention is to raise awareness so perhaps a station like this that has a media platform to set the spiritual tone and flavour for this sacred month, can perhaps gain an alternative perspective. Inshallah I hope that Allah guides us all rightly in our actions and that all good deeds offered for the sake of Allah alone and with sincerity, are accepted and rewarded. Ramadan mubarik and best wishes. Allah hafiz. A sister in Glasgow.