Young Muslim crowned Ultimate Imam on hit reality show (Feature)

By Julia Yeow Jul 30, 2010, 17:21 GMT

Kuala Lumpur - The live audience and viewers watching at home held their breath as the host gave a dramatic pause before naming the winner of Malaysia's hit reality show.

And then, bathed in floodlights of pink, yellow, green and orange, baby-faced Asyraf Mohamad Ridzuan was announced winner of 'Ultimate Young Imam' to the thunderous applause of his many supporters.

The finale of the 10-week-long programme concluded late Friday, but the buzz that the show has created is set to stay for much longer.

'Of course there will be a Season 2, it goes without saying,' gushed Izelan Basar, channel manager of the cable network Astro Oasis, which is broadcasting the programme.

Izelan, who first mooted the concept of the show, said the producers worked closely with the national religious department in order to steer clear of portraying non-Islamic elements.

'God must have given me the inspiration to come up with this idea, it really is amazing how it has captured the attention of so many,' he said.

Imam Muda, which translates to 'Young Muslim Leader,' kicked off in May with 10 contestants, shortlisted from a group of 1,134 hopefuls from across this mainly-Muslim nation.

In their dark, smart suits with matching skull caps, the contestants - who included clerics, students, businessmen and even a farmer - each week took on different challenges related to the job of Muslim clerics.

The show had all the makings of a western-flavoured reality show complete with dramatic video flashbacks, tears during eliminations and of course, the hordes of fans and supporters for each contestant.

The show also has a Facebook page, which has the support of more than 5,000 fans.

But that's where the similarities end.

Viewers can forget about seeing back-stabbing or alliance-building among contestants, as weekly eliminations are decided by a sole judge with the advice of two mentors on the show.

Temper tantrums have been non-existent among the contestants, who were made to live together throughout the programme in a mosque dormitory with no contact whatsoever with the outside world.

Instead, the young men are shown every week sharing meals, reciting prayers and studying Islam's holy book, the Koran.

'We are looking for the leader who will be an example for Muslims, especially to youth,' said Hasan Mahmud, judge and former grand imam of the National Mosque of Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur.

In the very first episode, the 10 men were made to wash and prepare a three-month-old corpse for a Muslim burial.

Other weeks had the remaining contestants visit orphanages, nursing homes and hold counselling sessions for troubled youths.

Those who fared the worst were eliminated, week-by-week.

As winner, 26-year-old Asyraf walks away with a list of prizes, including a trip to Mecca to perform the hajj, a scholarship to al- Madinah University in Saudi Arabia, a car, laptop and cash.

But fame and money was not what this handsome young man with a bright smile was after when he signed up for the show.

'The concept of a young imam was what attracted me, because we usually associate religious leaders with elderly people,' he told German Press Agency, dpa.

'The message I hope to spread to all, is that it is possible to be a good Muslim, regardless of how old or what you do for a living.

'You don't need to be a preacher, a cleric or an imam. You can be a faithful Muslim as a musician, an artist, a student, or whatever your vocation,' he said.

While Young Imam has garnered a huge fan base, critics say the glamour and glitz that go with a reality show has not been the most accurate way to portray Islam.

However, the show's backers say using modern technology and channels to spread the message of Islam is not only positive, but commendable.

'For once, there is a religious programme that is also entertaining,' wrote one supporter on Facebook.

Hasan, who himself dresses in a white full-length robe and skull cap -- the common attire of an imam -- said it was necessary to make Islam appear approachable and enticing to the youths through the contestants' modern dressing and mannerisms.

'Islam is not a backward religion, it's a religion that is relevant even today,' insists Hasan.

'Those who criticize the show, probably haven't really watched it, because everything shown is in line with Islamic principles,' he said.

'With this show, we are telling the world that Islam is a beautiful religion. It is not radical, it is harmonious.

'And God-willing, we will continue spreading that message through the other seasons of this show.'

While Malaysia's constitution states that the country is secular, Islam is the main religion and embraced by almost 60 per cent of its 28 million people. Large minorities of this multiracial nation are Christians, Buddhists and Hindus.

Malaysia has always tried to portray an image of a progressive Islamic nation, welcoming high-tech industry and Western culture, while striving to protect its conservative values.