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Event: Singing or Sinning: Murtaza Khan Vs. Usama Hasan
Format: Debate
Speakers: Murtaza Khan, Usama Hasan,
Other Speakers: Br. Dash and Masikah
Date: 14-06-2009
This was definitely an event which was always going to attract a crowd especially with the likes of Murtaza Khan and Usama Hasan speaking. It certainly did, with the men’s area being completely packed.
This was the first time I had seen Murtaza Khan, I’d actually never heard of him prior to registering for this event. However, I did hear some criticisms about his behavior in debating and lecturing. He was certainly charismatic and definitely was a crowd pleaser but I don’t think he was well researched on substance in responding constructively to Usama’s arguments. Murtaza won the debate purely based on an aggressive style of debating; speaking more about the negative affects of modern urban pop culture rather than music in principle. I did however enjoy listening to Murtaza as he did have some great sound bites when referring to the likes to Tupac and Biggie and definitely the practice of some youths in wearing their jeans below their waistline. I wonder how Masikah was feeling at this point. That’s exactly how he was wearing his jeans.
Usama on the other hand is known as an intellectual who is definitely well versed in Islamic studies and the Quran which was acknowledged by Murtaza. However, he is not the best of public speakers. He did however come prepared with 86 slides on PowerPoint which I’m sure could have been presented with a vigour that would have out done Murtaza Khan hands down.
However, on a more important note, the audience was completely polarized and there was heckling during Usama’s speech from a few sections which I felt was utterly embarrassing. There should have been far more restraint and respect for scholars who were more knowledgeable than most of the audience members.
Should Muslims have more adab in being a member of the audience when scholars are speaking?
Greetings of peace Yes. It is one of the things most essential for gaining knowledge. Yes, it is humility to learn and as well accept differences. Plurality in society is reflective of how differently people think, and it is reflective in a given identity as well (for e.g. Islamic identity). To have humility to learn from others (...seek those who have remembrance - Quran) is reflective of understanding of one's own limitations and that we must learn from others. On the other hand to be like a "pro" or "against" fanatic is being like some kind of a zealot who contempts upon others in regard of the knowledge he himself as. Such a kind of contempt only restricts knowledge and does not bemoan it. Successful engagement in debates can not take place without a plethora of people with humility to learn good, such as in the way of God, such as which is truth and the undertstanding that plurality in understanding is always existant in the society.
Sounds like a very typical yet an interesting event. I'd be intrigiued to know some of the arguments. I reckon Muslims should have more adab, nevertheless they should always be allowed to question the scholars. This often the cae in ISOC events, some scholars usually go off on their irrational rant and expect not to be questioned, which is unacceptable in it self. Plus in this context of a debate, there should surely be feedback and questions from the audience.