Combining a reality TV format with Islamic teachings, “Young Imam” which first aired last year became a hit, attracting interest in Malaysia and overseas.
The prime-time show features contestants dressed in sharp-looking black suits who are judged on a variety of tasks from reciting Koranic verses and washing corpses to counseling promiscuous young couples.
The first season allowed only Malaysians to compete, but auditions for the upcoming second series that will air in April will be open to anyone between the ages of 18 and 27 who can speak Malay. Many contestants are expected to come from neighbouring Brunei, Singapore and the world’s most populous Muslim nation, Indonesia.
“The participants will be able to bring a lot of interesting influences to the programme as they will come from different countries,” said Zainir Aminullah, an official at the Malaysian satellite television station which produces the show.
Last season’s winner, Muhammad Asraf, 27, said the main aim of the programme was to proselytize and make Islam more attractive to young people.
“I want to tell youngsters to watch this show and see what people in society expect from an imam,” said the winner, whose prizes included a scholarship to a university in Saudi Arabia, a job as an imam at a Kuala Lumpur mosque, a car and an iPhone.
The second season will feature new tasks for contestants: such as testing their religious knowledge on medical issues, and even how to handle the challenges of investing and the stock market.
In what could become a controversial element, they will also travel into Malaysia’s jungles to preach to indigenous people, many of whom are non-Muslims.
During the 10-week season which will run from late April, 10 finalists — all of them male, confined to a mosque dormitory and banned from using phones, the Internet and television — will face written and practical tests.
One contestant will be eliminated each week, and the eventual winner will receive prizes including a job offer at a mosque.
Source: IslamToday