Koran Singer Memorizes His Way Out of Poverty

There aren’t many ways out from the lowest rungs of society in the Middle East. But there is one route that manages to combine the region’s rising aspirations and its deep-seated piety.

Each year, thousands of young boys attempt the seemingly impossible task of memorizing the Koran. Most fail. But a few, like the subject of this video, succeed in cramming in over 80,000 words. And that is just the beginning. Karis, as they’re called, then pit their knowledge of the text, and the quality of their recitation, against each other in something like a cross between American idol and a spelling bee.

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Posted by Lauren Keaneon February 12, 2008 6:41 PM