 |
The sweet voice and unmistakable Arabic of the young French imams have attracted many worshipers. (IOL Photo) |
PARIS — Unlike in previous years, Muslims of the second and third generations are now leading the faithful in the nightly Tarawih prayers during the holy fasting month of Ramadan, mesmerizing the worshipers with their sweet voices and unmistakable Arabic recitation of the Noble Qur'an.
"We have now a generation of young French Muslims, who have learnt the Qur'an by heart," Ounis Guergah, director of the educational department at the Paris-based European Institute of Humanities, told IslamOnline.net.
The institute has trained dozens of young Muslims in reciting the Noble Qur'an in distinct readings.
"Up to 20 young reciters are leading the Tarawih prayers this year," said Guergah.
He noted that the new generation of Qur'an reciters has filled a vacuum left by their immigrant fathers, who memorized the Qur'an in their native Muslim countries.
"They are passing on the torch to the young generation."
Over the past years, French mosques and Islamic organizations used to enlist foreign imams from Muslim countries like Morocco, Algeria, Egypt and Turkey to lead the Ramadan Tarawih.
Others depended on French Muslim immigrants.
"We are seeking self-sufficiency," said Guergah. "We want to see the Tarawih prayers being led nationwide by French Muslims of the second and third generations within a decade."
France is home to some 5-6 million Muslims, making up the biggest Muslim minority in Europe.
The Shateau Chenot Institute, at the heart of the French countryside, is one of the well-known institutes in Europe specialized in teaching Qur'an and recitation techniques.
Arabic Tongue
Mohammad Tangoura, 18, is one of the new young imams with a sweet voice and a praiseworthy correct recitation of the Qur'an.
"I memorized the Qur'an in three years' time thanks to new immigrants," Tangoura, who is of Gambian origin, told IOL.
"Though I don't speak Arabic, because my father's mother tongue is English, I recite the Qur'an just like other Arab reciters," he said proudly.
Tangoura, who will vie in an international Qur'an contest in Algeria on Ramadan 24, has attracted many Muslims from across France to Al-Falah mosque in the city of Cachan.
"It is really miraculous of the Qur'an that it copes with different tongues," said Abdel Raouf, one of the worshipers.
"Many worshipers mistake Tangoura for Arab imams due to his fluent Arabic recitation."
Guergah, the Muslim activist, said there are no French or English traces in the young voices.
"They are being trained to pronounce Arabic as if it was their mother tongue."
|
