Wallace Salanje, Yusuf Bamusi triumph in inaugural Malawi Islamic Arts Awards awards
By Kassim Kajosolo, Contributor:
Artists Wallace Salanje and Yusuf Bamusi have expressed excitement over their success in the inaugural Malawi Islamic Arts Awards (MIAA) organised by Young Travellers Theatre and 265 Supreme Events.
Salanje, who is well known with his Yao Nasheeds (songs), said his triumph has motivated him to do more in his musical works as he continues to grow.
“This means a lot to me, every artist wants to do well and grow and winning awards is something huge because it strengthens your curriculum vitae,” he said.
He then promised his fans that he will continue to produce good Nasheeds that are educative and entertaining.
Bamusi who is a poet said the awards will help push Muslim artists to grow and strive for quality in their works.
Bamusi, who won in two categories of Best Poet and Best Poem, urged fellow artists to be creative in their works.
Imran Shabani, the awards manager, said, although the awards met with difficulties, they worked hard to produce the best.
“We encountered a lot of challenges along the way but this did not put us off. We maintained our tempo coupled with hard work and we are happy that we have finally presented the awards,” Shabani said.
He maintained that the awards will be annual and that artists should keep on producing better works to win awards.
Apart from Bamusi and Salanje, other acts that were successful and won awards include Sajidah Bunaya who was voted as Best Female Artist, Muhammad Aboobakar (Best Nasheed Artist) and Shaibu Allie ( Best Nasheed Producer).
Initially, the award ceremony was scheduled to take place physically at Dorvic Hotel in Blantyre but organisers were forced to go virtual due to Covid.
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