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.
Each week there are hundreds of competitions taking place across the Islamic world, ranging from competitions in local mosques to full-blown festivals in Dubai and Malaysia that are televised around the world, with prizes worth hundreds of thousands of dollars.
A local Kabul television station recently launched its national televised competition, called ‘Koran Star’, in which 50 contestants battled for the top prize - $1000 and a handsome copy of the Koran. That’s not much money compared to the prizes in larger competitions, but it’s a platform for the winner to launch an international career: a rare chance in a country that is in many ways cut off by thirty years of war from the threads of contemporary Islamic culture in countries further west.
Abdul Kabir began his career as a Kari long before the start of “Koran Star,” as a precocious eight-year-old back in the 1980s. But his story embodies the sort of rags-to-riches tale that boys here today can only dream of, as they open their Korans each morning before school and begin the arduous task of memorizing.
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Comments (3)
The use of the description "Koran Singer" is quite condescending; music in general is not well tolerated among Islamic clergy, the mere thought of them sporting a musical festival is totally counter-productive to their goals.
March 3, 2008 8:36 AM | Report Offensive Comment
Posted on March 3, 2008 08:36
It is a pity that Christians in the West are not as single minded in strengthening their faith as well as the Muslims are. But it is that same single-mindedness that makes the softer west wary and worried. Strange customs (to us)provoke strange reactions. On the other side of the coin, a passion that is met with what seems indifference, also provokes hostility. Blogs & articles like these will help to promote understanding, but I suspect the radicals and hardliners on both sides will dig in and prepare for trouble. Blessed are the peacemakers.... but they are going to have their work cut out!
February 17, 2008 11:00 AM | Report Offensive Comment
Posted on February 17, 2008 11:00
A minor correction would not be out of place.
Those who learn the text of the Quran by rote are called "Haafiz," from the Arabic root HFZ, to secure. The melodic recitation of the Quran is done by a Qaari, from the root QAR, to read. Note that I have used Q rather than K in the transliterations.
February 14, 2008 1:55 PM | Report Offensive Comment
Posted on February 14, 2008 13:55