UK: IRANIAN BOY WHO CAN RECITE THE KORAN

(30 Apr 1999) Farsi/Nat

Muslims in the U-K have been flocking to see a seven year old Iranian boy who has memorised and can recite the entire Islamic holy book, the Koran.

But he has taken his talent one step further and can also recite verses of the Koran when given just the first two or three words.

Mohammad Hussein Tabatabaie who lives in Tehran already appears twice a week on national television and has already toured 10 countries to show off his amazing talent.

The Islamic Centre in the Maida Vale area of London in the U-K was quickly filling up to see the little boy-wonder from Iran.

Both young and old people from the U-K's Muslim community gathered at the centre waiting to see the seven year old who is shocking audiences all around the world with his amazing ability.

Mohammad Hussein Tabatabaie, just three feet tall, took his position on stage, but a few adjustments had to be made so the audience could actually see the little boy give his address.

At the age of seven he has not only memorised the Islamic holy book, the Koran which is written in Arabic - but can also recite and translate verses in his native language, Farsi.

And his talents don't stop there.

The seven year old can recite a whole verse from the holy Koran just by being given a few words from the actual chapter.

Mohammad Hussein Tabatabaie who lives in Tehran already appears twice a week on national television and has already toured 10 countries.

People in the audience at the Islamic Centre in the U-K were given the opportunity to test the boy.

Members of the Muslim community chose words from verses of the Koran and asked for it to be pinpointed in the holy Koran.

To their delight the little boy was right every time.

The youngster said he had a passion for his religion from a very early age.

SOUNDBITE: (Farsi)
"From the age of two I started memorising the Koran and after that my father educated me more and taught me more until I was five years old - that's when I memorised it all - when I was two I memorised two thirds of the Koran."
SUPER CAPTION: Mohammad Hussein Tabatabaie

Mohammad Hussein Tabatabaie also has another hidden talent.

Using sign language Mohammad Hussein Tabatabaie's father described a line from the Koran....and without hesitation the youngster immediately recited the verse it is taken from and said which chapter it had been taken from.

SOUNDBITE: (Farsi)
"All the pages of the Koran are visualised in my imagination so I can see which words are in which verses and which chapter and which page."
SUPER CAPTION: Mohammad Hussein Tabatabaie

Mohammad Hussein Tabatabaie also gave a speech which reduced women in the audience to tears.

He spoke about the holy 10 day period of Muharram.

Members of the Shia community in Iran mourn the death of their prophet's grandson with a dramatic display of flagellation during Muharram.

The youngster said he would like to continue with his religious studies into adulthood.

SOUNDBITE: (Farsi)
"God willing I would like to be a religious scholar to benefit Islam and Muslims
SUPER CAPTION: Mohammad Hussein Tabatabaie

The audience were amazed with Mohammad Hussein Tabatabaie's talent and the crowds gathered around him before he left to show their appreciation.

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