As I continue my research into global Islam, and the various manifestations of its transnational and local dimensions, I also get the chance to cover some of the phenomena I encounter as a freelance religion newswriter. Graciously, the Religion News Service accepted my story on the #QuranChallenge - an increasingly popular social media Quran recitation challenge being passed around YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram.
Below is an excerpt from the article, read the rest at ReligionNews.com
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(RNS) Move over Ice Bucket Challenge. Muslims have a new take on the viral social media phenomenon: the Quran Challenge.
The new campaign seeks to raise awareness and funds for Muslim "da’wah" -- a call to propagate the faith -- by reciting verses from the Quran on various online platforms.
Issam Bayan, a 26-year-old student and professional Islamic singer, came up with the idea as a way to awaken Muslim piety, just as the Ice Bucket Challenge raised awareness and well over $30 million for ALS, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a degenerative condition also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.
While the #QuranChallenge has no specific cause, Bayan, who lives in Germany, said he wanted to make it available to all Muslims regardless of their financial ability to make a contribution. In an email interview, he said the benefits for this challenge are the rewards that a Muslim receives for reciting the Quran.