An Islamic TV talent show 'Knights of the Koran' will be screened in Algeria at the start of Ramadan, pitting 16 young hopefuls against each other in reciting the Koran.

'Knights of the Koran' is being promoted by the Algerian religious affairs ministry and will last for the whole of the Muslim fasting month.

The show has been designed to replace the popular Lebanese talent show 'Star Academy' which was taken off the air in Algeria following protests from conservatives at the 'inappropriate' behaviour of its singer-contestants.

The 16 contestants taking part in 'Knights of the Koran' have been chosen from 16,000 entrants who included many women. Programmers say they plan next year to televise a separate female Koran recital contest.

The contestants will get to meet North Africa's most important imams and religious leaders and to visit the main Koran recital schools, such as that of the al-Qarawiin in the Moroccan city of Fez, the al-Zeituna mosque in Tunisia and the al-Azhar seat of Sunni learning in Egypt.

Religious leaders from all over the Muslim world are due to appear on 'Knights of the Koran' and the show's Islamic format is certain to be a success, the Arabic satellite TV network al-Arabiya's website reports.