Afghan talent show singer finds fame as Trudeau's doppelganger

KABUL－An Afghan talent show contestant's striking resemblance to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has turned him into an unlikely celebrity in the war-torn country.

Abdul Salam Maftoon, a wedding singer from a village in the remote northeastern province of Badakhshan, had never even heard of his more famous doppelganger until a judge on the popular television music contest Afghan Star pointed out the uncanny likeness.

Slightly built with a long face and dark brown hair and eyes, Maftoon, 29, hopes the flattering comparison to the politician widely rated as one of the sexiest leaders in the world will bring him more votes on Afghanistan's version of American Idol.

"People have forgotten my name and now they just call me 'Justin Trudeau'," Maftoon said, his self-conscious smile revealing two gold-plated front teeth.

"I didn't know anything about Justin Trudeau until I saw the photos on social media.

"The resemblance has boosted my chances of winning the competition by 50 percent."

Composite photos of the pair－Maftoon wearing a hat favored by men in northern Afghanistan and Trudeau in Western-style clothing－have drawn scores of comments on Facebook.

And a video of an Afghan Star panel discussion about their physical similarities has been viewed tens of thousands of times.

"Trudeau's lost twin," wrote Neila Abdulzadah on Facebook.

The performer is among eight contestants to make it through to the next round on Thursday. The final will be held on March 21, the Persian new year's eve.

"He looks like my prime minister," said Afghan-born Canadian musician Qais Ulfat, one of the four judges who first pointed out Maftoon's resemblance to Trudeau.

"This guy could be the next Justin Bieber."

Until now Maftoon has relied on singing and playing instruments at wedding and birthday parties to support his wife and four children.

While Maftoon has little chance of going to Canada anytime soon, he holds out hope of one day meeting his Canadian double.

"I want to meet him if he wants to because he is a global personality and I am a poor man from a remote part of Afghanistan," he said.

"We will see what happens."