Malaysia: Reality Show To Choose Best Imam

7 June 2010

Malaysia’s latest reality show aired on pay-per-view satellite channel Astro Oasis, involves 10 young Malay men who aspire to become the best imam (Islamic religious teacher).

The show titled “Imam Muda” (Young Imam) teaches competitors ins and out of Islamic teaching. The competitors live together in the same house for 3 months and competes against one another. But, there is no singing, back stabbing or grandstanding like in American Idol, The Amazing Race or Big Brother.

Instead, as part of the weekly episodes they are required to bathe and bury a dead body infected with the HIV-AIDS virus with all the Islamic rituals, lead a prayer in a mosque and lead Muslims in all aspects of Islamic life.

Each aspiring imam on the show, aged between 19 and 27, is given a task each week, and tested on his Islamic theory and practical applications, well as leadership qualities until one contestant remains.

The winner will get a full scholarship to the famous Madinah International University in Saudi Arabia, a job as an imam at a Kuala Lumpur mosque, a pilgrimage to Mecca, a car, RM 20,000 (USD 6,000) in cash and an Apple laptop computer.

Astro channel is working in collaboration with the Federal Territory Religious Affairs Department to produce the show, in a bid to wean away the audiences from the stereotypical view of elderly imams in flowing robes.

Source: Straits Times (Singapore)