Islamic-themed Nigerian lifestyle channel HalTV is set to launch a gameshow for Ramadan called Hajj Quest.

Modelled on global hit format Who Wants to be a Millionaire?, the show will task participants with answering questions relating to Ramadan and general Islamic knowledge.

Winners claim an all-expenses-paid pilgrimage trip (hajj). HalTV Africa founder and CEO Sheriff Bakare said a pilot of the gameshow saw two people claim the prize.

“It is a one-of-its-kind show, as there’s not a lot of content people consume that is spiritual but also entertaining. People want to go on hajj after Ramadan, so every night after finishing fasting they can watch someone play to win for hajj.

“This year we’re expanding it and hope to give people at least one hajj winner per night, God willing. Questions will also be asked on air for the TV audience to submit answers to win a trip for Umrah or to Dubai.

“The market is still very young. More content needs to be produced for Ramadan and outside of Ramadan to engage the audience. However, there are no entertainment series that run every night of the month of Ramadan, unlike in the Middle East, where millions of people tune into Syrian, Egyptian, Turkish and Gulf series – musalsals – after iftar.”

The show will be in the English language but simultaneous translation will be offered for participants who speak Nigerian languages and dialects.

HalTV provides Islamic content ranging from education, art, culture, fashion and beauty, films and documentaries.

The show’s launch date has yet to be confirmed.

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