SRINAGAR: 92.7 Big FMs Srinagar station has gained more listenership in Ramzan through exclusive programs dedicated to the fasting month, presenters of the privately owned radio station say.
The switchover from the traditional airing of Bollywood music to the religious programs has been a boon for the radio in terms of gaining listenership.
Since the opening of its station in restive Kashmir, around a decade ago, during Ramzan, the FM station preferred Islamic content over routine entertainment only to see its listenership ratings scale new heights.
Apart from the traditional Naats, the radio has been airing programs like question- answer sessions, while SoundKraft, a music group composed special numbers for the shows.
For 92.7 Big FM, the day commences with the special Sehri session, at 3:00 AM with recitation of holy Quran to be followed by a variety as the day unfolds till the fast is broken at sundown.
The morning show with mood mechanic RJ Nasir, which otherwise is about humour, entertainment and news, is a switchover to interaction with Qazi Imran, whose question answer series has been a hit among the listeners for over three years. The session is dedicated to social and family issues.
At noon, the radio station airs special series on Stories of Prophets. Evening time band with Rj Sameen features Chef Yasin whose cookery classes are dedicated to preparation of special cuisines for Iftaar. Another evening segment is dedicated to show featuring Hakim Naseer and Mohd Yousuf who prescribe stay-healthy tips based on Tib-e-Nabawai (SAW).
The session concludes at sunset with a program, where prominent scholar Moulana Adnan throws light on the illustrious life of Prophet Muhammad (SAW).
The programs also pay special attention to historic days of the fasting month. On 21st Ramzan, which coincides with martyrdom anniversary of Hazrat Imam Ali (AS), FMs official page posted his famous sayings.
For Sania, Ramzan remains the time to prefer radio over TV programs. On one hand the content is spiritually so interesting that one doesnt want to miss even a bit of it, while on the other, listening to radio unlike TV doesnt hamper routine activities, she says.
For those like Imran Ali driving down in their cars, listening to FM has been a spiritual delight as it improved ones knowledge about the religion.
Having learnt the pulse of Kashmiri listeners for the blessed month, the FM people have only honed their skills on this front; annually introducing more of religious variety in its shows.
A lot to listen to, but something is missing: Listeners, however, candidly endorsed that they missed the exclusive women special series, which popular voice RJ Haya, presently off, would otherwise host.
Many believe that the Big people have set new benchmark for popular broadcasting in strike-torn region of Kashmir. See basically Islam is about peace and if you promote it in right in right perspective, you end up contributing towards healthy and prosperous society, said prominent journalist Tariq Ali Mir, Editor of Belaag magazine.
Sheikh Feroz, a prominent businessman, who owns the Alkhuddam Group of Companies said: Moreover the beauty of these programs is that religious awareness is made without any controversy over sectarian ideologies and that is something what Ummah really needs.
This year the radio station allied with some leading Islamic organizations like www.islamicsearch.org and scholars like Mufti Ismail Menk on content improvement.
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