Koran by Heart

In this 80minute documentary three 10yearold children leave their native countries to participate in one of the Islamic worlds 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 worlds 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