Dubai – UAE
Sallam Sallam
The fifth day of the 3rd Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak International Holy Quran Competition saw a stiff competition among seven more contestants, raising up the number of examined competitors to 33 out of 67 confirmed this year
The global competition, part of the organising committee of the Dubai International Holy Quran Award (DIHQA), is being held at the Scientific and Cultural Association at Al Mamzar area, Dubai, on November 04-16.
The fifth day of the competition saw the presence of H.E Ibrahim Mohamed Bu Melha, Adviser to the Ruler of Dubai for Cultural and Humanitarian Affairs and Head of DIHQA Organising Committee, Dr. Saeed Hareb, Deputy Head of the DIHQA Organising Committee
Also present were members of the DIHQA Organizing Committee, a number of officials, contestants and their assistants, businessmen, sponsors, some students from the Bilal Bin Rabah Quran Study Center in Dubai, and a large audience
The fifth day of the competition saw six contestants including Farah Mostafa Joujou, Lebanon, Zeinabou Rayahi Moussa, Niger, Marwa Aisha Mugdi, Canada, Salma Yousif Awad Mohamed Ahmed, Sudan, Fathmath Rahuva Rasheed, Maldives, and Hawa Bah Gambia
All participants expressed their honour, pride and happiness to participate in this global competition, and meet with this big number of full Quran female memorisers from around the globe
Six more contestants are to be tested in public on Saturday. These included Ashura Amani Lilanga, Tanzania, Hadil Ben Jemaa, Tunisia, Seynab Salad Aden, Finland, Nadiah Alkandari, Kuwait, Rahama Nishimwe, Rwanda, and Assanatou Bamba, Mali
Abdulrahim Husain Ahli, Member of DIHQA Organising Committee and Head of Financial and Administrative Affairs, said the third edition of the Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak International Holy Quran Competition is one of the most important branches of the Dubai International Holy Quran Award. “It is also one of a series of activities planned to mark the ‘Year of Zayed’.”
“The competition is making a quantum leap in terms of organization, coordination, preparation, and arbitration, with dedicated teams all set to secure the most convenience for all contestants, assistants, guests, and members of the arbitration committee”
The competition is also unique in its lucrative prizes as compared to other Quran competitions worldwide, he added. “Fair arbitration is guaranteed for all participants.”
The arbitration committee includes competent members from around the world. “They are known for their full command of Quran schools of recitation, he affirmed. “They are also well trained to deal with the electronic arbitration system which helps them precisely score and assess the performance of each and every competitor.”
The competition is well-deservedly named after H.H Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak, Mother of the Nation, she pointed out. “She is massively beloved and respected locally and abroad, and her white hands and services to Islam and Muslims speak volume in every nook and corner.”
Ahil paid tributes to the exceptional performance of all contestants, their confidence, and tireless effort to score and rank high.
“The exceptional success of the Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak International Holy Quran Competition locally and abroad from the first to the third edition is first due to God’s blessing, as well as the auspicious and incessant of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.”
“The organising committee of the Dubai International Holy Quran Award spares no effort to encourage Muslim youth, be they male or female, to learn the Quran by heart and recite it as perfect as possible by holding such numerous local and international Quran competitions.”
Memorisers over thrilled to participate in this competition
Farah Mostafa Joujou, Lebanon, expressed her happiness to chip in the Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak International Holy Quran Competition, but she was also concerned over the stiff competition with other participants.
“Each and every day sees several examples of memorisers with dazzling performance and tuneful voices that it is really too hard to dream of the first position.”
The student of biochemistry said this was her first international participation. “The warm reception and perfect organisation of the competition, let alone the electronic arbitration system are so exceptional.”
Talking about her journey with the holy Quran, she said that she started memorising the Quran at the age of eight, but she only took it seriously when she became 12.
“I was not that focused in the beginning, but I refreshed my intention and made that memorisation for God’s sake and to win his pleasure and paradise, and then everything became easier and faster.”
Instead of memorising just because her father wanted her to do so, she started memorising anew but this time for superior objectives; God’s pleasure and paradise.
“The holy Quran has even sharpened my memory and bolstered my academic performance.”
Farah, whose name means ‘Joy’ in Arabic, noticed that her life without the Quran was so empty and meaningless. “I used to believe that memorising the Quran in full is impossible, but I was wrong, as I myself did it, and my entire life has changed for better.”
Wishing to be teach Quran, she said that this has been urged by Prophet Muhammad (Peace upon him): “The best of you is the one who memorises the Quran and teaches it to others,” she said, thanking the organising committee for giving her the chance to chip in this prestigious competition.
Fathmath Rahuva Rasheed, Maldives, was fluent in Arabic despite the fact that they do not speak Arabic in her country.
“Arabic language has helped me much learn the holy Quran by heart,” she said, thanking her father for teaching her Arabic language and encouraging her to have the honour of memorising the holy Quran.
Grade-11 student is the only one in her family who have memorised the Quran in full. “I pray Almighty Allah to help them and all Muslims worldwide learn the Quran by heart.”
Fathmath joined a Quran study centre where she memorised the Quran in full. “They actually nominated me for this great competition following a local contest in which I came first.”
Fathmath used to dream of visiting Dubai to enjoy its civilization and progress. “I heard and watched much about Dubai, and always hoped to visit it one time, and this is happening now by virtue of this competition,” she said, paying tributes to the DIHQA organising committee for their warm reception and perfect organization.
Salma Yousif Awad Mohamed Ahmed, who represents Sudan in the competition, is a graduate of medical laboratories.
“I started memorising the Quran at the age of seven, and finished when I was 15.”
The Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak International Holy Quran Competition was not the first international participation for Salma, as she competed in several global competitions.
“However, this is the biggest and most remarkable in terms of organization, coordination, preparation, arbitration, and prizes.”
The most difficult part in Salma’s journey with the holy Quran was that it needed to be memorised again and again.
“Unless you keep reading the Quran and refreshing whatever you have learnt by heart, you will lose it,” she said, advising all Quran memorisers to keep this treasure. “It is the key reason for their happiness in life and the Hereafter.”
And as is the case every day, the morning and evening sessions of the competition concluded with the distribution of cash and in-kind prizes to the audience as per a raffle draw.
