Koran by Heart

Apr 1 2011 TV-G 1h 30m
Documentary, News

In this 80-minute documentary, three 10-year-old children leave their native countries to participate in one of the Islamic world’s most famous competitions, a test of memory and recitation known as The International Holy Koran Competition. Up against much older students, these youngsters 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 Cairo, Egypt. 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 fundamentalist and moderate visions of Islam. The children discuss their recitation techniques – with accompanying, completely improvised melodies – and talk about their nerves and excitement as they finally compete before a panel of judges.

Plot

110 kids from the Islamic world are chosen and arrive in Cairo for the world's oldest Koran reciting contest. KORAN BY HEART follows two boys from Senegal and Tajikistan, and a little girl from Maldives - who go head-to-head with kids nearly twice their age in the pronunciation, recitation and perfected memorization of the Qur'an. Even as their own future hangs in the balance, they are caught between fundamentalist and moderate visions of Islam.

Written by

N/A

Directed by

Greg Barker

Cast

N/A

Crew

View crew

Production Countries

United States of America

Production Companies

HBO Documentary Films

Languages

English

Awards

3 nominations

Trailers
Koran by Heart - BIFF 2011 Official Selection (Trailer)
Scores
# of Votes
397
Average Rating
7.3 out of 10
Metascore
NA
Popularity
NA