http://worldcat.org/entity/work/id/1079860511

Koran by heart

Every year, over a hundred young people from 70 countries across the Islamic world arrive in Cairo to compete in the world's oldest and most prestigious Koran reciting contest. In this documentary, three 10-year-old children leave their native countries to participate in the International Holy Koran Competition. Up against much older students, these youngesters have committed the 600 pages of the Koran to memory and will put their skills to the test before the elite of the world's Muslim community. In the midst of this intense international competition, the three young competitors - two boys from Senegal and Tajikistan and one girl from the Maldives - face uncertain futures at home as they are caught between the fundamentalist and moderate visions of Islam. In addition to chronicling the excitement and pressure of the Koran Competition, award-winning Greg Barker delicately captures humourous and touching moments. In intimate scenes with the children at home with their families, they open up about life and religion, the academic dreams and career aspirations. As the competition reaches its climax, this documentary offers a compelling and nuanced glimpse into some of the pressures faced by the next generation of Muslims. -- container.

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