Half of competitors sit final tests of Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Int’l Holy Quran Competition, 3rd edition
Dubai – UAE
Sallam Sallam
: Half of the full Quran memorisers competing in the 3rd edition of the Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak International Holy Quran Competition have sat the final tests over the last seven days of the global competition
The international competition, part 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 seventh 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
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 seventh day of the competition saw six contestants including Saforia Abdulrahim Qazi, Afghanistan, Soukaina Lamghari, Morocco, Zahra Rasoul Khalilisamarin, Iran, Istiqomah Salimin Rana Wikarta, Indonesia, Maimouna Lo, Senegal, and Aicha Camara, Guinea Conakry
Six more contestants, including Khadija Yunus Iliyasu Ibrahim, Nigeria, Alishba Shaikh Shafique Ahmed, Pakistan, Farhiya Adan Shiek, USA, Maram Sami Amyn Alhadad, Libya, Cadidjatu Djalo, Guinia Bissau, and Zejnebe Bardhoshi, Albania, are to be tested in public on Monday
All participants expressed their honour, pride and happiness to participate in this amazing competition, represent their countries, and meet with this big number of full Quran female memorisers from around the globe
H.E Ibrahim Mohamed Bu Melha, Adviser to the Ruler of Dubai for Cultural and Humanitarian Affairs and Head of DIHQA Organising Committee, presented the trophy of the Dubai International Holy Quran Award to H.E Mohammed Ameen Abdullah Al Kareb, Ambassador of Sudan to the UAE
He also presented similar trophies to H.E Abdulrahim Rahali, Consul General of Morocco in Dubai and Northern Emirates, H.E Radwan Hassan, Consul General of Indonesia to Dubai and Northern Emirates, H.E. Mohammed Siddique Amir Khail, Cultural Attaché of Afghanistan in the UAE
Bu Melha extended his sincere appreciation to them all for attending and following up the activities of the Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak International Holy Quran Competition, and supporting the contestants of their countries
Bu Melha presented another trophy to H.E Ali Ateeq Bin Lahaj, Director of the Directorate General for Airports Security with the Dubai Police, for sponsoring the activities of the seventh day of the Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak International Holy Quran Competition
H.E Mohammed Ameen Abdullah Al Kareb, Ambassador of Sudan to the UAE, said he was so happy to attend the Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak International Holy Quran Competition and seeing this amazing big number of full Quran memorisers from around the world
“The Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak International Holy Quran Competition is not only one of the most important Quran competitions in the world, but has also become a leading hub for full Quran memorisers from around the globe,” he said, congratulating all contestants for competing in Quran memorisation, and paid tributes to the organising committee of the Dubai International Holy Quran Award for their perfect organisation, warm reception, and exceptional generosity
H.E Abdulrahim Rahali, Consul General of Morocco in Dubai and Northern Emirates, extended his appreciation to the organising committee of the Dubai International Holy Quran Award for their tireless effort to make the Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak International Holy Quran Competition a big success, and for their sincere support Quran memorisers worldwide
“All Arab and Muslims countries and foreign communities around the world have been so keen to chip in this prestigious competition from the edition. It has become a milestone Quran contest because of God’s help and commitment of Ibrahim Mohamed Bu Melha, Adviser to the Ruler of Dubai for Cultural and Humanitarian Affairs and Head of DIHQA Organising Committee, and all members of the organising committee
“This is apart from the unlimited support of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, whose humanitarian initiatives speak volume in every nook and corner”
He said he was so pleased to attend the sessions of the competition and support the contestant of Morocco. “We have always been so keen in Morocco to participate in the Dubai International Holy Quran Award from the very beginning. This award is the best Quran competitions worldwide in all its programs and activities that has remarkably grown and developed.”
Morocco only nominates the best of the best full Quran memorisers for this competition after final approval of the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, he added. “I do wish all the best for the all contestants, particularly the Moroccan competitor.”
All contestants are so lucky and real winners for being eligible to chip in this great competition, he underlined. “It is a precious chance for all participating full Quran memorisers to meet in this spiritually uplifting setting.”
H.E Omat Ushik, Deputy Consul General of Sudan to the UAE, paid tributes to the organising committee of the Dubai International Holy Quran Award for their successful programs and activities all the year round
“This is apart from the perfect organisation, warm reception, exceptional generosity, and lucrative prizes.”
He added that he was so happy to follow up the activities of the third edition (Edition of Zayed) of the Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak International Holy Quran Competition which coincides with the 100 birthday anniversary of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan (RIP)
“This great competition has become a big attraction for full Quran female memorisers from around the world as is the case with the 22-year-old Dubai International Holy Quran Award which has seen quantum leap since its inception on Ramadan 12, 1419 H, falling on December 30, 1998.”
The Deputy Consul General of Sudan to the UAE said that all these diverse branches reflect the relentless effort of the organising committee of the Dubai International Holy Quran Award
“I am so excited to attend this competition, and wish all contestants the best of luck,” he said. “This successful competition is due to God’s help and commitment of Ibrahim Mohamed Bu Melha, Adviser to the Ruler of Dubai for Cultural and Humanitarian Affairs and Head of DIHQA Organising Committee, and all members of the organising committee, leave alone the unlimited support of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.”
He also expressed his happiness about the best treatment the Sudanese community receive in the country. “The deeply-rooted fraternal relationships between the Sudan and UAE is a role model for all countries.”
Prof. Dr. Sheikh Mohammed Fahd Kharuf, Syria, Member of the Arbitration Committee of the Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak International Holy Quran Competition, said the competition has attracted competent scholars for accurately assessing the performance of all participants.
“It has also become a leading hub for full Quran memorisers from around the globe,” he said, thanking the organising committee of the Dubai International Holy Quran Award for their great service and tireless effort to make the competition a big success.
“The competition has become a milestone Quran contest due to God’s help and commitment and support of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, while the exceptional effort of the organising committee speak volume.”
He then paid tributes to the contestants for their brilliant performance in terms of perfect memorisation and beautiful recitation. “The arbitration committee sometimes does not sound the bell to alert the contestant against any mistake and that reflects their perfect performance”
“The performance of most contestants is so good, and that is mainly due to the strict standards of the competition,” he said
“All participants need to clear initial qualifying tests to be eligible for appearing in public and sitting final tests,” he said. “Only contestants with perfect performance are given access to the stage for final examination, and that strict condition has made the competition so stiff, with all competitors maximising their effort to be the best of the best.”
Contestants so excited to chip in Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak International Holy Quran Competition
20-year-old Saforia Abdulrahim Qazi, though staying in the UAE for 17 years so far, represents her original country, Afghanistan, in the Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak International Holy Quran Competition this year.
The student of Sharia at the Qasimia University in Sharjah started memorising the Quran at the age of eight, and finished it in four years.
“Though my parents are not full Quran memorisers, they have encouraged me and my seven brothers and sisters to learn the Quran by heart.”
It was so difficult for Saforia to memorise the Quran in the beginning because of language barrier, but she managed to complete this sacred mission with a big success with the help a Quran study centre here.
“I needed to keep reciting the Quran and refreshing my memorisation all the time; otherwise I would have forgotten it,” she said, adding that she participated in the Sheikh Hind Bint Maktoum Holy Quran Competition, and Sharjah Holy Quran Award before. “However, this is my international participation, and I had to fly back home to Afghanistan to clear a special test there to be eligible for nomination to this global competition by the bodies concerned in my country, Afghanistan.”
Saforia said she was impressed with the high performance of all contestants. “The electronic arbitration system is so wonderful and affirms the fairness of the competition which I am so honoured to chip in,” she said, thanking the organising committee of the Dubai International Holy Quran Award for their great effort
Soukaina Lamghari, Morocco, is a student of psychology. “I started memorising the Quran at the age of four with the help of her father who is a mosque imam and used to teach her and her sister at the mosque with others to have this honour, and she managed to finish when she was 13.”
Soukaina’s father was her Quran teacher. “He used to teach me the Quran before I started going to school, and that gave me a big motivation to complete this sacred mission. He also taught me Arabic language and that helped me in my Quran memorisation which has had a positive impact on my personality and behaviour.”
The Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak International Holy Quran Competition is actually the first international participation for Soukaina who is over thrilled with the warm reception and perfect organisation of the competition.
“Though all contestants are competing hard and doing their best to rank top, everybody is so friendly and happy with this spiritually uplifting setting.”
Quran memorisers need to be fully determined and keep refreshing their memorisation, she pointed out. “Parents, particularly the mother plays a critical role in Quran memorisation,” she said. “My mother used to encourage and support me to learn the Quran in full. She used to give me special gifts and sweets whenever I learn some new chapter of the Quran.”
Soukaina’s father also encouraged her with books and toys to memorise the Quran in full. “Whatever I have now is due to my Quran memorisation which has become my lifestyle.”
Aicha Camara, Guinea Conakry, is a student of languages and translation at the Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. “I started memorising the Quran at an early age with the help of my father who was a lecturer at the Imam Muhammad Ibn Saud Islamic University.
“I had to fly back home to Guinea Conakry after my father’s death, but returned to the university after obtaining a scholarship to study languages and translation.”
Aicha completed her journey with the Quran at a Quran study centre. “My father was also an imam and he used to encourage me and all my brothers and sister to memorise the Quran in full.”
Aicha was so happy to participate in the Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak International Holy Quran Competition. “It is a precious chance for all participating full Quran memorisers to meet in this spiritually uplifting setting.”
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
