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EGYPT: ISLAMIC VERSION OF 'AMERICAN IDOL' TO DEBUT
Cairo, 16 April (AKI) - (by Alessia de Luca) - 'Stars among the people', the Muslim response to US cult programme 'American Idol' which discovers new musical talents, will debut in May, broadcast by Egyptian television As Nas. Organizers of the new reality show say that contrary to the original version participants of the show, who are all going to be male, will have to compete on their ability to sing verses of the Koran instead of pop songs. Over 10,000 men from all ages and walks in life are being selected for the programme. Half of them are Egyptian while the other half come from different Arab countries.
The contestants will be chosen by a commission of ulema from Al Azhar University in Cairo , the highest seat of Islamic Sunni learning.
However, it will be the public at home to choose their favourite candidate and ultimately select the winner who will have to excel in three categories: singing psalms from the Koran, reciting sacred texts and in public speaking skills.
The candidates of Egypt's 'American Idol' will have the possibility of studying the Koran with professors and clerics from the Al Azhar University. The winner will also be able to record a CD and take part in television shows.
Hani al Bana, the director of the As Nas broadcaster, said that "the aim of the programme was to help the rise of new talents and create new preachers who are able to touch the heart of the people."
Many reality shows have recently been censored in the Arab world. Three years ago, the Arabic version of reality television show Big Brother was banned by Saudi broadcaster Mbc while last year the Arab version of Star Academy, which hunts down undiscovered artistic talents, was banned by Algerian authorities on charges it threatened the country's moral values.
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