Bravery of Arab TV Idol (Burqa-Clad Contestant lands in finals after blasting hard-line clerics)

New York Post ^ | 04/01/2010 | Lukas Alpert

[SeekAndFind]

A burqa-clad contestant on the Arabic version of "American Idol" landed in the finals after bravely blasting hard-line Muslim clerics on live television, sparking outrage among religious conservatives in the Middle East.

Unlike the wildly popular Fox show, contestants in the Middle Eastern version recite traditional and original poetry rather than sing.

While most regale the audience with odes to the beauty of Bedouin life and glory of their rulers, Hissa Hilal stunned audiences last week by attacking Muslim religious leaders as "vicious in voice, barbaric, angry and blind," and guilty of "preying like a wolf" on people seeking peace.

She specifically blasted fatwas -- declarations by imams that often incite violence -- as a side of the extremism that is "creeping into our society."

"I have seen the evil in the eyes of fatwas, at a time when the permitted is being twisted into the forbidden," Hilal recited, speaking with only a hint of her eyes visible through her black veil.

Naturally, her verse has inspired numerous death threats on Islamic militant Web sites.

But her brave words clearly tapped a nerve, as she was wildly cheered by the audience and voted into the competition's final round.

"My poetry has always been provocative," said Hilal, a housewife and mother of four from Saudi Arabia. "It's a way to express myself and give voice to Arab women, silenced by those who have hijacked our culture and our religion."

Her poem was specifically seen as a direct assault on a prominent Saudi cleric who issued a fatwa against those who call for the mingling of men and women. More broadly, Hilal was also seen as attacking all the hard-line religious leaders who have widespread influence throughout the Middle East.

[SeekAndFind]

BURQA BARD: Hissa Hilal, on the "Idol"-style TV show aired from Abu Dhabi, recites her daring poem standing up for women's rights -- verse that has naturally inspired death threats.

Hilal said she is concerned by the threats, but "not enough to send me into hiding." She worries more whether her newfound fame might turn her life upside-down -- facing a fate like that of "Britain's Got Talent" songbird Susan Boyle, who melted down under the spotlight.

Poetry is hugely popular in Middle Eastern countries, with prominent poets rising to rock-star levels of fame.

On the show, which is called "The Million's Poet" and is broadcast from Abu Dhabi across the entire region, contestants are rated by their voice, style of recitation and the subject matter.

The judges gave Hilal top marks for her impassioned performance and tackling a controversial topic. Their opinions, coupled with voting from people in the audience and through text messages by viewers, landed her in the final round.

[Gay State Conservative]

Throwing off that black piece of trash and wearing normal clothing instead would have been even more brave.

[tet68]

Cute babe eh.

[sageb1]

“silenced by those who have hijacked our culture and our religion.”

There has been no “hijacking.”

[Las Vegas Ron]

Hubba hubba!

[Las Vegas Ron]

Cute babe eh.

I'd hit it!

[Rennes Templar]

“Poetry is hugely popular in Middle Eastern countries, with prominent poets rising to rock-star levels of fame.”

Just like in the U.S.

NOT

[SeekAndFind]

Cute babe eh.

I just realize lot of people in this Forum have X-ray vision...

[SeekAndFind]

Here in the USA, it’s called RAP. Just ask P.Diddy or Eminem.

[Ghost of Philip Marlowe]

Maybe their men would make them stop wearing those sacks if they saw enough bumper stickers that read:

“Burqas are a turn-on.”

[Rennes Templar]

High art.

[Uncle Miltie]

I’d hit it.....with a 2x4.

[Fantasywriter]

“Poetry is hugely popular in Middle Eastern countries, with prominent poets rising to rock-star levels of fame.”

Just like in the U.S.

“NOT”

They’re just a few centuries behind. Shelley, Keats and Byron were the rock stars of their day.

[Uncle Miltie]

"Naturally, her verse has inspired numerous death threats on Islamic militant Web sites."

Religion of Peace, doncha know.

[Melas]

You missed the point. She was wearing the burkha to symbolize oppression. It’s certainly not necessary to wear one in Abu Dhabi or any other city in the UAE. As Arab states go, it’s extremely liberal. Whereas women can’t even drive in oppressive states like Saudi Arabia or Afghanistan, women the UAE drive, become doctors, police officers, elected officials, lawyers, judges, and even fighter pilots.

[The_Media_never_lie]

Cute babe eh.

I have a feeling she's hot.

[MissDairyGoodnessVT]

I admire what she’s said and has put her own life in jeopardy as these mullahs,etc. will stop at nothing to quell any form of free speech.

There’s a lot of right brainers in the Middle East and Iran,too,that’s why poetry & stuff like that is so popular and is also seen as a form of political protest,including all those gushy artsy fartsy films the iranians make (you can see i’ve no love for them)

[SeekAndFind]

She was wearing the burkha to symbolize oppression

This woman is from Saudi Arabia, I wonder if she can go home ?

If she wins, she'll be the Arab Idol, I wonder what the clerics will decree if she ever goes home ??

Will there be a fatwa against her similar to another Muslim poet and writer -- Salman Rushdie ??

[Celerity]

Beheading in 5 .... 4 .... 3....

[SeekAndFind]

including all those gushy artsy fartsy films the iranians make (you can see i’ve no love for them)

There are a few thought provoking films made by Iranian directors, problem is they can't make them in Iran.