Korean Singer Says Embraced Islam after Impressed by Quran
Episode 4 of the second season of the Mahfel TV show on Friday featured Kim who had come from South Korea to Iran to share his story with millions of viewers who tune in every day before iftar during the month of Ramadan to draw inspiration from guests.
Noting that Islam is not the religion of the majority in Korea, Kim said that the media talks about Islam in a “bad way”. “When I was young I also thought Islam is kind of dangerous thing.”
Practicing music and K-Pop gave him a chance to perform in other countries and his trip to Indonesia was his first “real” encounter with Muslims, he reminded.
His growing interest in Islam made him study more about the religion upon his arrival at home. “So I read the Quran. I tried to pray and fast.”
“When I read the Quran, I found something that really impressed [me],” he said, pointing to the concept of monotheism that is highlighted in the Holy Quran.
“There is a thing that makes us happy and peaceful, and the purpose of your life is obeying Allah, and through obeying Allah it gives you true happiness and true peace in your mind,” Kim noted.
This was the thing “that I really needed,” he reminded. “The thing that makes me happy and peaceful.”
He noted that he then said Shahada and became a Muslim.
Kim also recited Surah al-Ikhlas in the show:
Kim, who used to go by the name Jay Kim, embraced Islam in September 2019 and announced his conversion in a YouTube video.
Muslims are a minority in South Korea, making up less than 1 per cent of the population. Most of them are foreigners, such as migrant workers and international students. The first mosque in South Korea, the Seoul Central Mosque, was built in 1976. Since then, 15 more mosques have been officially registered across the country, along with 150 to 200 musalla, or smaller places of worship.
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Mahfel is a Quranic TV show aired on the IRIB in the holy month of Ramadan.
Screening the second season of the popular program began on the first day of Ramadan on Tuesday.
It is broadcast just before sunset every day during the holy month, offering a spiritual oasis for viewers as they prepare to break their fast.
With a primary focus on the Quran, the program aims to enrich the brief moments of respite for fasting individuals through insightful discussions and captivating recitations.
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