Singer-songwriter Faizal Tahir is again collaborating with Media Prima Television Networks in this year’s Ramadan Terima Kasih campaign, reminding viewers of the importance of being thankful.
His latest single Starfeather — he co-wrote the song with Ezra Kong — after being inspired by his humanitarian aid relief trip to the Rohingya refugee camp at Cox’s Bazar in Bangladesh last March.
“However, we decided that the lyrics should not focus solely on the refugees, but also the less fortunate, the homeless and orphans,” says 39-year-old Faizal who is a father of six.
“Children are our future, and should not suffer like those I met in Bangladesh. It was heart-wrenching to see them going through hardship.”
The lyrics of the song tells them not to be afraid as help will come from their fellow humans and, of course, God.
The pop tune song, which has lyrics in both Malay and English, was released digitally early this month, with the music video also available on YouTube.
“The video is made up of footage from the trip. It is like a music documentary and I hope it will be a source of inspiration to others as well.
“Although it has footage from the refugee camp, the song can also be used to motivate people in general,” says Faizal of the single which has been used as a theme song for Media Prima Television Networks’ (MPTN) Terima Kasih campaign for Ramadan.
This is the second time Faizal is collaborating with MPTN to come up with a theme song for its campaign for the fasting month.
“Last year, together with Aizat Amdan, we came up with the song Terima Kasih, which took the tune from Aizat’s Jangan Menangis, for the same campaign,” he says.
This is the second time MPTN is organising the campaign which was well received by the public.
“In our debut campaign last year, the focus was to remind viewers of the importance of saying ‘thank you’. Picking up on its success, this Ramadan, we want to carry on with the theme by extending the concept of being grateful,” says MPTN chief executive officer Johan Ishak.
“While we urged people to say thank you last year, this year we want viewers to also show their gratitude in their action towards the people around them.
“We also hope viewers will be able to absorb the messages contained in the programmes we have lined up throughout Ramadan and during the festive season,” he says.
To keep viewers glued to their TV sets, TV3, TV9 and ntv7 have prepared a host of programmes which include serial drama shows, Raudhah (Islamic-related content) programmes and other lifestyle shows.
FAMILIAR FACES
While Faizal has been brought in to sing the campaign’s theme song, MPTN has also enlisted eight celebrities to be the ambassadors of this year’s Terima Kasih campaign, namely, Amar Baharin and Amyra Rosli (and their cute toddler son Aqeef Anaqi), Izzue Islam, Farah Nabilah, Remy Ishak, Puteri Aishah, Erwin Dawson and Azira Shafinaz.
Besides appearing in the programmes, these celebrities will deliver the campaign’s message of gratitude on the three TV channels throughout the campaign period.
They will also be joining the activities scheduled throughout the period such as Bazar Terima Kasih, Jom Masjid and Anggun Life.
Both Bazar Terima Kasih and Jom Masjid programmes will be held on the same day. This year, two states will host the programmes, with the first to be
held in Kedah tomorrow and Melaka on June 2.
While Bazar Terima Kasih will take place at Amanjaya Mall car park from 3pm to 8pm, Jom Masjid will be held at Andalusia Mosque in Bandar Laguna Merbok in two sessions (from 9am to noon and from 5pm to 10pm).
Meanwhile, the bazaar in Melaka will be held at Dataran 1Malaysia Klebang. Jom Masjid is scheduled at Al-Aminin Mosque in Kampung Batang Tiga Timur Bukit Rambai, Klebang.
Joining the ambassadors at events will be their fellow celebrities who will also visit selected charity homes before heading to the bazaar venues.
TV3
Serial Drama
Zehra: Teratai Kemboja
Date: Apr 13-June 8
when: Wednesday to Friday, 9pm
(21 episodes)
Cast: Fasha Sandha, Datuk Adi Putra, Elly Mazlein, Hasnul Rhamat and Nur Albaniah
Synopsis: Fikri, an entrepreneur,
is married to Hanani. Hanani is very domineering and Fikri has to give in when she tells him she’s not ready to have a child.
One day, Fikri meets Taufik, a cleric from Cambodia who is seeking donations from Malaysian companies for poor Muslim villagers in Cambodia. Fikri follows Taufik to Cambodia where he falls for Taufik’s daughter Nurhidayah. Taufik asks Fikri to take his daughter as his second wife.
Samarinda: Nur
Date: May 14-June 13
When: Monday to Thursday, 10pm
(19 episodes)
Cast: Syafiq Kyle, Amyra Rosli, Noorkhiriah, Datuk Jalaluddin Hassan
Synopsis: Ustaz Adam is attractive, wise and pious. His father Datuk Mukhsin is a celebrity ustaz and his mother Musalmah is respected in the community.
Adam is supposed to marry Qhadeeja, but is attracted to Nur who is a prostitute.
Solat
Date: May 19-June 9
When: Saturday, 11pm (four episodes)
Cast: Hafidz Roshdi,Elvina Mohamed, Razek Ahmed, Zahiril Adzim, Uqasha, Izzue Islam, Amar Baharin, Nina Iskandar, Raja Afiq and Farouk Hussin
Synopsis: This programme discusses topics related to prayers.
Akasia: Halalkan Hati Yang Ku Curi
Date: May 23-June 28
When: Monday to Friday, 7pm (27 episodes)
Cast: Farah Nabilah, Aliff Aziz, Shah Iskandar, Mimi Lana and Normah Damanhuri
Synopsis: This drama tells of a married couple who socialise too much. One day, they lose everything, including their home and business. The wife also finds out that she is pregnant. An ex-lover complicates matters.
Iris: Ramadan Dan Hamdan
Date: May 28-July 2
When: Monday, 6.30pm (six episodes)
Cast: Shuk, Cef Fikree Aznan and Vanidah Imran
Synopsis: Ramadan and Hamdan have not been back to their hometown to celebrate Hari Raya for many years. They plan to do so this year, but will they be able to finally make it to their kampung?
Telemovie
Iman Ke Syurga
date: May 26, 9pm
Cast: Haris Haziq, Zahiril Adzim, Syeira Ayob, Datuk Rahim Razali and Rosnah Johari
Synopsis: Alif and Ina are about to lose their son. They have no choice but to accept their fate.
Demi Hati Arjuna
Date: May 27, 9pm
Cast: Nad Zainal, Mohd Danish Hazriq, Idris Khan and Zul Huzaimy
Synopsis: Alia is diagnosed with cirrhosis. She has to undergo a transplant but is unable to find a donor. She thinks of Arjuna, her 12-year-old child with Zafran.
Ketupat Buat Nenek
Date: June 2, 9pm
Cast: Ku Faridah, Miltida, Delimawati, Fauzi Nawawi and Elly Mazlein
Synopsis: Mak Ainun has been taking care of her grandchild Dian, 9, after her parents were sentenced to death due to drug trafficking. Dian seeks her grandmother’s love but the latter is very cold towards her.
Ayah
Date: June 9, 9pm
Cast: Fahrin Ahmad, Rita Rudaini, Shuhanty and Datuk Rahim Razali
Synopsis: A desperate family man decides to break into a house but almost gets caught. He runs into the woods and finds a baby.
Ghahim Takut Nak Azan
Date: June 3, 9pm
Cast: Aqasha, Nadia Aqila, Armand Erza and Kazar Saisi
Synopsis: Ghahim has a lisp and is the laughing stock at school. Each time he has to recite the azan, he would find excuses due to his lisp.
Ketupat Untuk Ariana
Date: June 10, 9pm
Cast: Jalil Hamid, Habiel Lutfiah, Qistina Raisah and Aliff Yasraf
Synopsis: Anip, Bidin and Caon are cousins who do everything together until Ariana shows up. Ariana is a city girl who is popular with all the village children, including the cousins. A week before Hari Raya, they quarrel over Ariana.
Raudhah Qari Jr.
Date: May 22-July 10, 6pm
Hosts: Ustaz Syukri Yusof, Ustaz Dr Lukman, Muaz Kool FM
Synopsis: Young Qaris battle it out in this reality show.
Raudhah Mawaddah
Date: May 17-June 7
When: Thursday, 11pm
Hosts: Ally Iskandar
Synopsis: This forum-based programme features well-known clerics and motivational speakers who tackle issues from an Islamic point of view.
Sahabat Backpackers
Date: May 19-June 9
When: Saturday, 5.30pm
Hosts: Da’i Hakim & Da’I Fahmi
Synopsis: The hosts go backpacking in Bangkok and Bali and get involved with some corporate social responsibility work.
Jejak Rasul
Date: May 11-June 10
When: Friday to Sunday, 6.30pm
Host: Fedtri Yahya
Lifestyle & Bananana!
1,2 Bakar
Date: May 19-June 9
When: Saturday, 11.30am
(four episodes)
Host: Anis Nabilah
Synopsis: Anis Nabilah is on a mission to bake some kuih raya.
Jom Berbuka
Date: May 20-June 10
When: Sunday, 5.30pm (four episodes)
Guests: Amyra Rosli and Amar Bahrin, Aiman Tino, Fara Fauzana, Nabil Ahmad, Faizal Ismail, Abam Bocey
Synopsis: Break fast with local celebrities.
Watch how these celebrities prepare their berbuka puasa dishes with their families while keeping viewers informed of the latest happenings in their lives.
Apa Nak Makan Ni?
Date: May 19-June 9
When: Saturday, 6pm
Nona
Date: May 20-June 10
When: Sunday, 2pm
Jalan-Jalan Cari Makan
Date: May 20-June 10
When: Sunday, 11.30am
Moreh
Date: May 20-June 10
When: Sunday, 6pm
Sembang Sahur
Date: May 22-June 13
When: Tuesday to Wednesday, 11pm
Balik Kampung
Bersama Pensonic
Date: Apr 30-June 18
When: Monday, 6pm (8 episodes)
TV9
Serial Drama
Kisah Cinta
Date: Apr 22-June 3
When: Sunday, 8.30pm
Cast: Nur Fazura, Shaheizy Sam,
Nadia Aqilah, Ungku Ismail and
Nazim Othman
Cinta Jangan Pergi
Date: May 15-July 18
When: Tuesday to Thursday, 8.30pm
Cast: Remy Ishak, Tiz Zaqyah,
Josiah Hogan, Nadia Nisa, Bil Azali
Nur Kasih
Date: Apr 26-June 22
When: Tuesday to Friday, 9.30pm
Cast: Fizz Fairus, Remy Ishak,
Tiz Zaqyah, Sharifah Sofia,
Jalaluddin Hassan
ntv7
Serial Drama
Nafas
Date: May 11-June 13
When: Monday to Friday, 8.30pm (24 episodes)
Cast: Kilafairy, Erwin Dawson, Sarah Hildebrand, Fahad Iman, Hefny Sahad, Nadia Brian, Cristina Suzanne and Thanuja Anathan
Synopsis: Khadijah is diagnosed with Stage Three lung cancer. She prepares a to-do list before she dies but is not confident of completing her mission.
Telemovie
Cik Shopaholic
Date: May 27, 8.30pm
Cast: Ungku Ismail, Puteri Aisyah
and Syerinie
Synopsis: Razi is not generous when it comes to money while Hezliza is a shopaholic. Their families want to match them to help them change. Chaos results when the two live under one roof.
Realiti Ramadan Mike
Date: June 3, 8.30pm
Cast: Joshiah Hogan, Sara Ali and Sharmain Farouk
Synopsis: Halim’s wealth has made him greedy and egoistic. He donates only to gain status, until he is diagnosed with kidney disease. However, he still believes money can change everything.
Vlog Laura
Date: June 10, 8.30pm
Cast: Zamarul Hisyam, Mia Nasir, Anzalna Nasir, Naim Danial,Aryana Alissa
Synopsis: Laura is Kamal and Ainon’s only child. Ainon is Kamal’s second wife. This Raya, Kamal has to be with Munirah. During Ramadan, Laura and Fahmi (Munirah’s oldest son) want to make Laura’s dream a reality — to jot down all her Ramadan activities and to celebrate Raya together.
Lifestyle
Selera Sado
Date: May 17-June 7
When: Thursday, 7.30pm (four episodes)
Host: Sherson
Synopsis: Sherson meets hunky celebrities. In exchange for exercise tips, Sherson will cook healthy meals for the gym addicts. Celebrities demonstrate their keep-fit routines during Ramadan.
Pesan Makan
Date: May 18-June 8
When: Friday, 7.30pm (four episodes)
Host: Syuk
Synopsis: A semi-reality programme featuring Syuk and junior Chef Danish who owns an online food business. Celebrity friends will make online orders and come over to their house to pick up the food.
Entertainment
Rojak R
Date: May 19-June 9
When: Saturday, 9pm (four episodes)
Host: Ajak Shiro and Awal Ashaari
Synopsis: This hour-long Ramadan talk show features celebrity guests who will take part in various fun and exciting games. The celebrities will also be given missions to complete to help those in need.