–at international Qaseeda contest

TRINIDAD & Tobago’s largest Islamic organization, the Anjuman Sunnatul Jamaat Association Inc. (ASJA), staged an event of grandeur and style, when it hosted the 14th International Qaseeda Competition 2016 in Trinidad & Tobago recently.ASJA is affiliated to the Anna Catherina Islamic Complex (ACIC) and The Guyana United Sadr Islamic Anjuman (GUSIA).
Guyana sent a large delegation, led by President General of ACIC, Hakeem Khan and was represented in all categories—Male and Female, Junior and Senior.
The event in Trinidad & Tobago follows Guyana’s hosting of it last year; next year it returns to Suriname.
Qaseeda is the singing of songs in praise of the Holy Prophet Muhammad, and in Guyana, the Guyana United Sadr Islamic Anjuman was the first organization to have organised such competitions in the past. Thereafter, other organizations also followed.
ASJA’s President, General Al Haj Yacoob Ally and also Chairman of its International Qaseeda Committee, Shazard Ali were both ecstatic at the very successful hosting of the event.
Public Relations Executive, Reyaz Hussein said the finals and presentation were hosted at the Convention Hall of the Center City Mall, and saw a gala dinner attended by hundreds of persons.
Highlight of the evening was the mesmerizing performance of Guyana’s Musical Group, INDUL VOICES, led by Amar Ramessar.
He explained that performing for the first time in T&T, Indus Voices provided musical interludes of qaseedas, ghazals and other Muslim renditions at the programme, which filled the audience with amazement.
“As the voice of Ramessar resounded into the air, the audience stayed enthralled by their magnificent performance of Qaseedas, ghazals and Sufi renditions,” Hussein said.
INDUS VOICES was founded seven years ago, and comprises a set of very talented Guyanese artistes, ranging from percussion to keyboards, to vocalists, all led by Amar Ramessar.
INDUS VOICES has done many charity shows across Guyana and internationally as well in countries such as Grenada and French Guyana,” Hussein said.
The “Late ZAID ALI’s Award” for the Most improved Junior Male Qaseeda Singer was also presented at the event.
This is the fifth year of the annual presentation, which is made to Junior participants of the host country, who have shown the most potential in the Qaseeda singing.
The “Late MOHAMED AZEEZ IMRAN’s Award” for the Most improved Junior Female Qaseeda Singer was also presented at the event.
This is the first year of what will be an annual award to the female Junior participant of the host country, who has shown the most potential in the Qaseeda singing.