In distinction from its glib editorial [see post below], The Washington Post has an interesting piece on Moez Masoud, an Egyptian advertising executive who also happens to be a Muslim televangelist. Rather than preaching from a minbar, though, Masoud preaches through singing on stage and on the airwaves thanks to the Saudi religious satellite TV channel Iqra. Masoud seems to have attracted a large audience across the Arab world. You can find some of his lectures [in English, with Arabic subtitles] on YouTube.

That a Saudi TV channel is using music to proselytize a moderate Islam is of note as it goes against several stereotypes.

Younger Muslims Tune In to Upbeat Religious Message
Kevin Sullivan

CAIRO — Muna el-Leboudy, a 22-year-old medical student, had a terrible secret: She wanted to be a filmmaker. The way she understood her Muslim faith, it was haram — forbidden — to dabble in movies, music or any art that might pique sexual desires.

Then one day in September, she flipped on her satellite TV and saw Moez Masoud.

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.

“Moez helps us understand everything about our religion — not from 1,400 years ago, but the way we live now,” said Leboudy, wearing a scarlet hijab over her hair.

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.”
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