support for DEEN TV

Support for Deen TV

The newest Islamic channel in South Africa, airing on Top TV has been making news in the Muslim community for the past few months with a lot of response from the public to increase Islamic content on SA television. Directors of Deen TV are now advising the public to tune in and participate, making programming more engaging.
Faizal Sayed, one of the directors at Deen TV, told VOC’s Afternoon Cruise that they are urging the broader community to subscribe and support the channel with the aims of uplifting the South African Muslim community. “We can only create a platform for the community and therefore they have to participate and be supportive in these structures in order to uplift the people in our society.”
Sayed said that when their group put the channel together, they were very specific when it came to the content focus. “One of the main focuses we looked at when we started this was that when it comes to Islam television in SA, there shouldn’t be a choice between these Islamic channels. In the SA context, I don’t think there are any choices at all. The time has come that we do have these things and make it available for the public,” he said.
Deen TV has been airing on a trial basis for the past couple of months and officially aired on Channel 355 on 1st June.  Sayed said that with the smooth running of the channel thus far, they are successfully running a variety of programs for viewers.  “We are currently airing a range of documentaries focusing on spiritual matters, with scientific approaches, light entertainment, recitations and basic Islamic tenets or teachings,” he said, adding that all these programmes will mostly be focused on community uplifment projects.
Sayed said that popular programs which are currently airing on Deen TV include lectures by Maulana Dawood Sampson, Imam Nur Salie, Maulana Irshaad Sedick along with international speakers like Sheik Muhammad an-Ninowy and Maulana Imran Hosein. The channel also includes various documentaries by Harun Yahya  Deen.
However, Sayed said that they are looking at promoting more interactive programming and advising the public to call in during shows and give their comments. “We want to make Deen TV a community-based channel and in so doing invite communities to engage in it in terms of event coverage and to also call in to give commentary and lot more,” he urged.
With the sacred month of Ramadan coming up, they are finalising good spiritual programming for Deen TV. “There are a variety of Ramadan programs we are busy scheduling for the channel. However we are still waiting on a few responses regarding programming for the month. But what I can say is that it is all going smooth at the moment, alhamdullilah.”
The channel’s CEO Farouk Arief said that with a sharp decline in morality and ethical behavior perceived as a growing worldwide trend, Deen TV should focus on community and social upliftment in a positive environment. Inculcating spiritual balance should be an integral focus in the channels content approach, mission and vision.
Sayed said that further programming will include community news and developments of importance whilst at the same time creating a platform for businesses to advertise their businesses, products or services. If you would like to know more on Deen TV, visit their website on www.Deentv.org or contact them on 082 926 1933. You can also visit their Face Book page at www.Facebook.com/Deentv . VOC (Aishah Cassiem)