Afghan Idol

This summer, Afghanistan holds its second presidential election. But the country is experiencing democracy in a very western style with their popular television show Afghan Star. It’s the Afghan version of American Idol, where young singers compete against each other and viewers text in their votes.

The show is more than a pop culture phenomenon. It’s causing a political stir in a country torn between traditional Islam and liberal western ideas. British filmmaker and documentarian Havana Marking chronicled the competition in her new film Afghan Star and she joined us to talk about it.

The film will screen later this month at the Human Rights Watch International Film Festival in New York.

Afghanistan isn’t the only place seeing a challenge to traditional muslim culture. There’s a rapidly growing movement in America called “progressive Islam.” Its adherents are young American Muslims. Many describe themselves as “culturally Muslim,” and oppose what they see as rigid, conservative practices which they claim aren't Islamic at all, and give Islam a bad name. KALW’s Hana Baba has the story. You can hear it at the Public Radio Exchange.