Ramadan: How StarTimes’ new channel substitutes mosque activities
With the Coronavirus crisis and lockdowns in many countries, terrestrial television has provided succour for Ramadan activities to Muslims.
This year’s holy month of Ramadan began with many countries including Nigeria in either total or partial lockdown over the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Though Nigeria, with a large Muslim population eased its total lockdown on Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Lagos and Ogun states last Monday, mosques and other places of worship are still under lock and key.
Muslims in the country have therefore turned to the media, both social and mainstream, for their spiritual rejuvenation during this holy month.
The month of Ramadan is observed by Muslims worldwide as a period of fasting, prayer, reflection, and community. The annual observance of Ramadan is regarded as one of the Five Pillars of Islam and last between 29 and 30 days from one sighting of the crescent moon to the next.
For the month-long fast, Muslims are supposed to abstain from food and drink among others during daylight hours, while reading the Qur’an and listen to its explanation from preachers in the mosques to get additional rewards from Allah.
But this year, as the COVID-19 pandemic rages on and mosques under lock and key, all that may not be possible.
Because of this, StarTimes said it launched a new channel named Ibadah TV, dedicated to providing high-quality content such as Muslim prayers, lectures, documentaries and interviews for Muslim subscribers all over Nigeria, while helping them conduct their fast, fulfilling the need for worship among Muslim audiences.
Set up specifically for the period of Ramadan, Ibadah TV will broadcast for one month during which Muslim are guaranteed to be glued to their StarTimes decoder.
During the period of broadcast, Ibadah TV will engage subscribers fully with Islam-centric programmes that will satisfy the yearnings of Islamic brethren.
Available on DTT channel 451 and DTH channel 369, Ibadah TV will provide subscribers with entertaining, educative and engaging programmes even as StarTimes continues to connect with their subscribers during this unique period.
Programmes on Ibadah TV include Usiqaa a programme featuring the latest Islamic music videos both from within and outside the shores of Nigeria. Subscribers will also enjoy Salat, a call to prayer programme designed to prompt people to go for prayers five times daily.
Other programmes are lectures of different scholars and teachers enlightening Muslims on Islamic teachings. Historical documentaries on religion, social information and lifestyle will also be aired during this period.
As promised, Ibadah TV will be engaging as it will provide subscribers with a vox pop programme where people on the streets and mosques will be engaged in trending discussions that will further generate conversation online and offline. This will be available via the programme, Pop Up, as their will also be opportunity for educative and thoughtful interviews of dignitaries in the Islamic religion across Nigeria via Your View.
For subscribers who want more, StarTimes has met that desire with more Islamic content on Iqraa and Sunnah TV.
During these special days, the popular Hausa channel Dadin Kowa asides it popular series such as Warris and Double Kara will be broadcasting Islamic programmes such as Qur’an reading content between 4-5 am while at 6:20 pm children will have access to Ramadan related cartoon programmes that will help them read the Qur’an and worship in the standard form.
Speaking on the motivation behind the specialized channel for Muslims during the Ramadan, Chief Operating Officer (CEO) of StarTimes, Mr. Tunde Aina, noted that “at StarTimes, customers experience comes first with timely, uncommon and innovative content especially during this COVID-19 lockdown.
“We made it a point of responsibility in ensuring that our customers are aware of what’s going on while having good content to enlighten them while staying at home.” Mr. Aina explained that StarTimes also has concern for its customer.
He also said: “…due to the lockdown, StarTimes has ensured unwavering quality service delivery with its customers reaching the offices via dedicated hotlines. Its staff working from home have also been on the ground answering questions on social media platforms such as WhatsApp groups, Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook, with all questions guaranteed to be answered within six hours.
“It’s StarTimes who made digital TV available and affordable for ordinary Nigerian families and StarTimes is dedicated to serving the African audience well. At StarTimes we always try to provide top content at an affordable price most especially during this COVID19 pandemic,” Aina said.