‘This is not a gimmick'
By Rosli Abidin Yahya

Rama Iphama during an interview at Rampai Pagi. Pic: Norizan Murshid

Television audience yesterday morning must be surprised to see an Indonesian singer, draped in Arabic attire, at the Rampai Pagi segment of the Radio Television Brunei.

However, as explained by the singer Rama Aiphama, his concept of attire was not a gimmick but merely following the Islamic dress codes, that is, a man needs to cover up his body, just like his female counterparts.

"The Jubah, or long gown, is normally used by Arabs to cover their bodies and therefore being Muslims, we can also do so even though the Jubah symbolises Arabic culture," he told the television announcer, Hj Malik bin Hj Awg Tengah.

Rama also used an unusual headgear, which looked like a woven basket, normally used by African women.

To this, he explained: "The headgear symbolises a hand when we ask for Allah's blessings."

Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin