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‘The production illustrates what can be an alternative way for audiences to take in stories from the Quran. He hopes that it intrigues the youth to learn more.’
By YASEEN BARDIEN
Excitement built up as the auditorium started filling up with people of all ages. There was anticipation about how an oft-recited Surah of the Quran would be brought to life as a full production.
What the audience was looking forward to was Fusion Inyameko Foundation’s staging of a live production of Surah al-Kahf.
This all came together at the Joseph Stone Auditorium in Athlone on Wednesday October 1.
Once the lights dimmed, the show began. The performances were strong, each cast member showed real emotion and the characters had real depth. One of the standout performers was Junaid Benjamin, whose charisma and voice echoed through the auditorium.
The audience stayed engaged as cast members broke the fourth wall, walking among the crowd, addressing and interacting with them using humour while maintaining respect for the story. The audience responded appropriately, clapping and cheering when needed.
Audience members shared these feelings afterwards.
Mustapha Hendricks described the production as ‘beautiful’. Hendricks believes that productions such as these can be an effective way to help people understand the Quran.
‘We read the Quran but not as often as we should. This (production), gives you a broader perspective so that one can visualise what one is reading about.’
Kariemah Dhunputh says she enjoyed the performance.
‘I really thought the production was extremely inspiring and I have a better idea of the surah right now.’
Fusion Inyameko co-founder, Nizaam Abdol, says it was a five-day stage production, running seven shows.
The production has ten actors, taking on multiple roles. They are supported by a five-member backstage crew which ensures that everything runs smoothly behind the scenes. The cast is made up of young adults, many with prior experience of Fusions stage productions.
Abdol explained that the decision to choose Surah al-Kahf for production stemmed from a successful stage production last year of Surah Yusuf. He added that the surah can resonate with the youth.
‘Our idea was to speak about the youth of the cave and the lessons that we could derive from this. We also know that as a Muslim community, particularly in Cape Town, we are very much connected to Surah al-Kahf, reading it weekly on a Friday or listening via our radio stations in our homes.‘
We felt that this was an opportunity to connect people to this particular surah and its lessons in a meaningful way.’
For some performers, the show has a link to their personal life.
Munsif Gallie (24), a final year student at the International Peace College South Africa (IPSA), says he finds a connection between his academic studies and the surah.
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Gallie plays Abu Sufyan, as well as a character called Birunius. He says that through the play the participants they are trying to strengthen people’s connection to the Quran.
‘Some of us listen and some of us recite. But after watching a show, when they go back to reading or listening to it, they can look deeper into it. We are trying to make a tighter connection to the Quran.’
Another cast member, Junaid Benjamin (27), performs the roles of Abu Jahl and Yamlika. He says his love for stage production came from his high school days.
Benjamin adds that stories are taken verbatim from the Quran.
‘We take general stories from the Quran. Everything that we take out is verbatim and it is something we reference in the text. So, we will actually incorporate Qiraat recitals into the play where people can get the barakah of listening and then get its explanation.’
Echoing the audience reception, he adds that the production illustrates what can be an alternative way for audiences to take in stories from the Quran. He hopes that it intrigues the youth to learn more.
‘I think a play can be so detailed and it’s often things we don’t really think about when reciting because, the majority of time, we’re reading the original Arabic. We (non-Arabic speakers) don’t know every word or letter.
‘For the youth, it’s pretty fascinating because it might encourage them to go learn more about the surah and hopefully that cultivates within them this desire to want to learn the Quran,’ said Benjamin.
As the curtains closed to thunderous applause, it was clear that, based on audience reaction, the production was a success, hitting home and resonating with the crowd. Abdol and everyone at Fusion achieved the goal of bringing Surah al-Kahf to life.
