Perhaps the only time you’ll see me advocating televangelism. Check out this article in the WaPo on an extremely popular wave of young Muslim televangelists that are stealing the spotlight from angry old imams. Quoth the article:
A Muslim televangelist not much older than herself, in a stylish goatee and Western clothes, Masoud, 29, was preaching about Islam in youthful Arabic slang.
He said imams who outlawed art and music were misinterpreting their faith. He talked about love and relationships, the need to be compassionate toward homosexuals and tolerant of non-Muslims. Leboudy had never heard a Muslim preacher speak that way.
…
She said she still plans a career in medicine, but she’s also starting classes in film directing. “After I heard Moez,” she said, “I decided to be the one who tries to change things.”
Masoud is one of a growing number of young Muslim preachers who are using satellite television to promote an upbeat and tolerant brand of Islam.
1 response so far ↓
1 xJane // Dec 7, 2007 at 1:24 pm
This is the kind of religion I support, not just televangelism. The article quotes him as saying, “A lot of Muslims act as if we can’t enjoy this life, we can only enjoy the afterlife.” I often feel that many preachers take that tack: Christian, Buddhist, Muslim. But a brand of religion that celebrates life & spirituality is one I can get behind. I was taken aback by his comment that “There’s a market gap” for what he does; to me that’s just oldschool televangelism. But he seems to be doing good (he has an interesting take on homosexuality) and bringing his religion into the 21st century.
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