UAE.Dubai
Sallam Sallam
With the eight more contestants examined on Day-5 of the 23rd Dubai International Holy Quran Award (Dihqa) on Saturday, 36 out of 90 full memorisers have so far sat final tests of the global competition, 1440H/2019
The fifth day of the annual competition saw the presence of Ibrahim Mohamed Bu Melha, Adviser to the Ruler of Dubai for Cultural and Humanitarian Affairs and Dihqa Chairman, Deputy Chairman, and Members of the Organizing Committee
Sponsors of the fifth day, including Dar Al Bar Society, Al Rostamani Group, Prime Hospital, du Integrated Telecommunications Company, Gazebo Restaurants, senior officials, dignitaries, members of diplomatic corps, and the audience were present
The fifth night of the competition saw seven competitors. These included Ahmat Mahamat Tahir, Chad, Abdulkodyr Aidarov, Kazakhstan, Abdalla Mohamed Abdalla Musabeh Alqaydi, UAE, Ishimwe Shafi, Rwanda, Mohammad Inzarul Haque, Nepal, Ahmed Hussain Zahid Raza, Pakistan, Botralahy Chamsdine, Madagascar, and Muhamad Bailo Bari, Guinia Bissau
Media Unit gears up to best cover Dihqa activities
Ahmed Al Zahid, Dihqa member of organizing committee and head of Dihqa media unit, said this year’s edition is seeing a stiff competition from over 90 competitors from around the globe.
“These are the best full Quran memorizers from all participating countries who are eager to chip in this prestigious award which is in the core of Dubai Government interest and is closely followed by millions of Muslims around the globe.”
All participants have to clear mandatory initial tests to be qualified for sitting final tests in public at the Dubai Chamber of Commerce & Industry every night after the Taraweeh Prayers, he added. “Competent and well trained arbitrators check and assess memorizers’ performance.”
The international competition has seen a quantum leap over its 23-year-old procession, Al Zahid underlined. “It has become a leading hub for Quran memorizers, scholars and teachers from around the world.”
This actually adds to the responsibility of every member of the organizing committee and all units under to be up to the bar and show full commitment to this sacred mission, he said.
“All units spare no effort to best coordinate, communicate, manage, develop and support the 14 branches of the global award in collaboration with strategic partners, be they from the public or private sector.”
The Award, which started with just two sections, has branched out to 14 big categories these days, Al Zahid stated.
“This is basically due to Allah’s help and blessing, and then the generous support and sponsorship of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, leave alone the relentless effort of all the units and teams concerned.”
Sponsors hail Dihqa organizing committee for their tireless efforts
Taleb Bu Hammadi, of Dar Al Ber Society, said they are so keen to sponsor all Dihqa activities on an annual basis in view of their 23-year-old strategic partnership which commenced from the very first session of the Award in 1997.
“Dar Al Ber is one of the leading societies specialized in promoting and distributing copies of the holy Quran worldwide, and encouraging memorisers locally and abroad,” he said, thanking the Dihqa organising committee for their dedication and commitment.
“The unlimited support of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, speaks volume as well.”
Dr Adel Al Sisi, of Prime Hospital, said they are honoured to co-sponsor all the competitions of the Award, and proved them with full medical teams and latest devices.
“It is so inspiring to see this big number of Quran memorizers from around the world in one place,” he said, thanking the organising committee for their perfect organization and distinguished services
Contestants reflect inspiring journeys with Quran
Ahmat Mahamat Tahir, who represents Chad in the competition, is not only an anchor with a local Quran radio station back home, but also a university student of history and Quran mentor
“I stared memorizing the holy Quran at the age of five and finished seven years later when I was 12 at the hands of a competent Quran teacher in a local Quran study centre back home”
“The Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs has nominated Tahir for the Dubai International Holy Quran Award this year and other global Quran competitions in Algeria, Kuwait, and Egypt”
Being a big fan of the Quran, Tahir established his own Quran study centre in 2015. “I give coaching to around 120 Quran learners of different ages”
20-year-old Abdulkodyr Aidarov, Kazakhstan, stared memorizing the holy Quran at the age of 10 and finished six years later when he was 16 at the hands of his Quran teachers in a local school. “But, I needed to focus and study hard to finish this great mission”
Aidarov, a student of Sharia, has always received support from his father who is a businessman
“He used to encourage me so much to have this precious honour,” he said, thanking His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum for his support, and the organising committee for their warm reception and perfect organization
19-year-old Abdalla Mohamed Abdalla Musabeh Alqaydi, who is based in Al Dhaid area of Sharjah, represents the UAE in the 23rd edition of the global competition
“I stared memorizing the holy Quran at the age of 12 and finished two years later when I was 14 with the help of my mother who is a full Quran memorizer”
Alqaydi, a student of Islamic studies in the Mohammed-V in Abu Dhabi, Ajman branch, has participated in an international Quran competition before in Kuwait
“These are apart from many other Quran local competitions in which he always secured advanced positions”
Wishing to obtain a PhD in Quran sciences, he goes to Madinah in Saudi Arabia on a regular basis to learn the Quran. “I wish to do as Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) said: ‘The best of you is the one who learns the Quran and teaches it to others”
21-year-old Ishimwe Shafi, Rwanda, stared memorizing the holy Quran at the age of 16 and finished three years later when he was 19
“Two of my five siblings are full Quran memorizers, while his elder brother is the family breadwinner who works hard to support our family”
Shafi studied the Quran in a special centre back home. “I have participated in so many Quran competitions and secured advanced ranks in them all,” he said, wishing to be a scholar of Islamic Sharia in the future
14-year-old Mohammad Inzarul Haque, Nepal, stared memorizing the holy Quran at the age of 10 and finished three years later when he was 13 in a local school back home. “I used to learn two pagers of the Quran by heart every day”
All Haque’s five brothers and sisters are Quran learners. “The ministry of Islamic Affairs and Endowment has nominated me for the Dubai International Holy Quran Award this year which is a dream for all Quran memorizers to take part in”
He then thanked the organising committee of the Dubai International Holy Quran Award for their “great service and warm reception of all participating contestants.”
17-year-old Ahmed Hussain Zahid Raza, Pakistan, stared memorizing the holy Quran at the age of eight and finished seven years later when he was 15 in a local Islamic school back home
Raza’s father, who works in a tourist agency, was a big help for him and his four brothers and sister in terms of Quran memorization. “Three of my siblings are full Quran memorizers”
Wishing to be a scholar in the future, Raza believed that the best thing to do in life is to learn Quran and teach it to others “as advised by Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be upon Him)”
24-year-old Botralahy Chamsdine, Madagascar, stared memorizing the holy Quran at the age of 12 and finished two years later when he was 14 in a local Islamic school. “I used to learn 1.5 pages per day, and my father used to encourage me and my four brothers to have this honour”
Chamsdine, a university student of linguistics, wished to be a Quran reader and Sharia scholar. “I would like to thank all members of the organizing committee for their tireless effort and great services”
Meanwhile, Ibrahim Mohamed Bu Melha, Adviser to the Ruler of Dubai for Cultural and Humanitarian Affairs and Dihqa Chairman, honoured the sponsors of the fifth day, exchanged trophies with them, and presented valuable prizes to the audience as per a raffle draw
