Cape Town’s top-notch nasheed talent was on display at the City Hall on Saturday at Discover Islam’s annual nasheed competition. The competition involved two categories with primary schools competing against each other and a separate division with high schools competing against one another.

The girl’s category winners: Schotsche Kloof Primary
The boy’s category winners: Hidayatul Islam Primary

These schools proceed to the finals of the nasheed competition to be held at the end of this month. Discover Islam’s Rugshaun Adams said the main aim of the competition is to build the confidence, leadership and courage amongst the youth through an Islamic ethos.

“It is not easy to perform in front of thousands of people. We want to create an awareness of an Islamic ethos that shows the youth that it is good to be competitive and that there are winners and losers. Also we want to show them how their showmanship and competitiveness can work to your best interest,” says Adams.

Nine schools competed for one of three spots in the finals where they are awarded with a Spur voucher; a medal, a certificate, a trophy and a branded Nasheed 2015 sling bag. These include: Al Azhar high, Crescent primary, Darul Islam high, Douglas Road primary, Habibia primary, Hidayatul Islam high, Hyde Park College, Rahmaniyeh primary and Schotsche Kloof primary schools.

“We had 9 girl groups from primary schools and 10 boy groups from primary schools so it just shows how the competition has grown. The 10th girl group did not have enough members to make up a girls team,” says Adams.

Hidayatul Islam illuminated in white and blue while Schotche Kloof proved that their bright blue and yellow attire matched their powerful melodious voices.

“They looked fabulously dressed in white and blue,” says VOC presenter Adiela Fortune.

For first time contender Douglas Primary, nerves were flying high as they were overwhelmed with emotion but this never shook the power of their voices.

“They were extremely nervous and excited. There was so much emotion as the competition proved to be very overwhelming for them but what marvellous voices,” says Fortune.

The children were judged on five aspects based on their performance which was a challenging time for judges due to all the outstanding performances.

The criteria included innovation, presentation and how in sync they were.

“The judges took time to deliberate but it was tough,” says Fortune.

The judges were Nabeel Tofie, Ebrahim Allie, Sheikh Haroon Moos, Sheikh Abdul Aziz Brown and Moulana Saleem Gabi.

The finals will be held at the Artscape on 31 May 2015. VOC