Malaysia gets its first Imam via ‘X-Factor’ inspired reality show

Muhammad Asyraf Mohd Ridzuan, 26, an imam from Penang has won Imam Muda— a new reality show, on the lines of ‘X Factor’, which has gained global attention.

Asyraf beat Hizbur Rahman Omar Zuhdi in the finale held at Pusat Islam to become show’s inaugural winner.

He won a scholarship to Al-Madinah International University to pursue post-graduate studies.

Other prizes for Asyraf, who has a degree in Usuluddin and Fiqh from Universiti Malaya, include a job as an imam in one of the mosques in the Federal Territory, a haj pilgrimage, a Proton Exora, RM20,000, a holiday, an iPhone, furniture worth RM10,000 and an Apple Macbook Pro.

Hizbur, 27, a religious teacher from Baling in Kedah, also won a scholarship to the same university, reports the Star Online.

Hizbur, who is currently pursuing a degree in syariah at Al-Azhar University in Cairo, also received an umrah package, furniture worth RM7,000, an iPhone, an Apple Macbook Pro and RM15,000.

The show, which debuted on May 28 with 10 contestants, has built an impressive following among Malaysians.

Its Facebook site has 55,538 fans.