Crescent Primary scoops two awards at Nasheed recital

Crescent Primary School, in Heathfield, made waves when Sayed Mariha Mohamed, a Grade 7 pupil, walked away with the Soloist Award for reciting the best Nasheed (vocal music) and the school scooped second place for group reciting, at Cape Town City Hall, on Friday August 4.

The Fusion Inyameko Foundation organised the Primary School Nasheed Competition for females, featuring nine participating schools.

Habibia Primary came in first place and TLC Hyde Park Primary came in third place.

Shaykh Sayed Ridhwaan Mohamed, exco member of Cape Town Ulama Board, who attended the event, said each of the nine schools, “offered a unique interpretation of Nasheed-style music, showcasing musical arrangements and meaningful lyrics. The judges praised all participants for their impressive performances, and in the end, three schools stood out among the rest and were awarded positions.”

Mr Mohamed said Mariha, “captivated the audience with her beautiful voice as she recited the Nasheed. Her delivery was effortless and filled with emotion, engaging the audience in a way that no other performer did. Her confidence and stage presence set her apart from the rest of the performers.”

Naseerudien Harneker, principal of Crescent Primary, said: “ We are proud of our team for their excellent rendition of Nasheeds. It is a reflection of their hard work and commitment to do their best. We express our gratitude to our coaches and all involved in the success of our Nasheed teams.”

Mr Mohamed said the pupils reported feeling inspired by the experience of competing with other schools while becoming closer with fellow classmates involved. They expressed appreciation for the opportunity to share their passion for Nasheed with the world.