Opick (right) doing an interview with Nazira Noran on Radio Bernama promoting his latest album, Allah Bersamamu. — Bernama photo
KUALA LUMPUR: The name Aunur Rofiq Lil Firdaus may not ring a bell to Indonesian music lovers across Malaysia.
The name Opick, however, may elicit better recognition and a mental image of the 43-year-old Indonesian singer who writes and belts out Islamic songs, popular both in his country and Indonesia.
Bernama recently met him after an interview with Nazira Noran on Radio Bernama promoting his latest album, Allah Bersamamu.
The album is the 19th by Opick in which he is also the producer.
He has collaborated with Monkey Bone who is the album’s digital distributor and PNP Entertainment as the Malaysian distributor for the album.
“Allah Bersamamu tells the story of every one of us who have through pain and suffering. It centres on the oppression against many peoples around the world, including those against the Rohingyans, Syrians and Palestinians,” he explained.
The album was to convey the message of humanity and comfort those who were tested by reminding them that God was always with them.
“God never forgets about his servants, regardless of their condition,” said the artiste, who wrote the song Aku Bukan Malaikat for local songstress Datuk Siti Nurhaliza.
Personal changes
The father of six does not shy away from talking about his past.
In Indonesia, the name Opick was initially known through the pop and rock genres as he used to be part of Timor Band.
Among the rock band’s albums were ‘Nyanyian Perjalanan’ and ‘Pasar Malam Di Kepalamu’.
“Praise be to God, after several albums and various obstacles, I was able to come up with the compilation album Tausiyah Dzikir dan Nasyir. It was only after that that I was able to come up with the album Istighfar,” he explained, referring to his first spiritual album.
He describes the transition as the beginning of his departure from his “rocker” era, a phase filled with anger and rebellion.
“God has made it easy for me to repent and change, and eased my journey in writing new songs that inspire, entertains and comforts others.
“At the same time, my songs remind others to remember God and stand in his worship,” said Opick, whose popularity in Malaysia soared through the song Rapuh.
In fact, his songs are often featured in soundtracks for drama series in Indonesia and Malaysia. His response to internet users illegally downloading his songs was surprisingly positive.
“The music industry, on a whole, is currently not doing well. Everything has gone digital. So for me, (people illegally downloading my songs) is not a problem, as long as it can inspire them to better themselves. That was my intention when coming up with new songs, anyway.
“Even if they shared what they downloaded with others, I do not mind. It is God that takes care of my sustenance,” he said.
That is the personal opinion of Opick, but his recording company would beg to differ.
Illegally downloading songs is an offence punishable by the law as it involves copyright issues.
Preaching through songs
Another topic that he acknowledged there might be disagreement was on preaching about God and Islam through songs.
He was, in fact, embarrassed to be called a preacher by some as he did not see himself as qualified to be one.
“I am merely a singer that draws inspiration by spiritually-uplifting songs. I also motivate fellow spiritual singers to not give in to the fluctuations of the music industry. To me, in every industry there is a need for people who will call others into the path of God,” the soft-spoken singer explained.
Charity work
In addition to singing and songwriting, Opick has also opened up a tahfiz centre (religious school concentrating on the memorising of the Quran) named Baitul Umah Tombo Ati for orphans and street children (tombo ati is Javanese for remedy of the heart).
According to him, there are currently 20 to 30 children residing in the home and about 300 non-residential students.
In addition to that, he is also active in humanitarian activities and will be organising series of concerts called Jelajah Kemanusiaan to several countries such as Palestine (Gaza), Syria and Lebanon starting December.
Jelajah Kemanusiaan would take up to a year and is aimed at raising funds for the victims and refugees in and from those countries.
“Proceeds from the concert will be handed over to refugee camps along with medical and food supplies.
“These concerts are the result of a joint collaboration with my friends in Indonesia and Turkey,” he explained.
He acknowledged that his contribution might not be much but saw it as his own way of helping those brutalised by oppressive forces.
“It is the least we could do, and we need to jump at the opportunity,” he said with emotion.
Opick, who has held concerts in Egypt, Qatar and Gaza said that he would be singing in Indonesian Malay, as he had always done before. — Bernama