The competition is being held daily at the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Dubai - "To compete in this big competition is not only my dream; but also the dream of all the Quran memorisers worldwide."
Published: Fri 9 Jun 2017, 8:58 PM
Last updated: Fri 9 Jun 2017, 11:05 PM
To participate in the Dubai International Holy Quran Award (DIHQA) is a dream for Quran memorisers from across the globe, affirmed the participants of the 21st edition of the 14-category award. The competition is being held daily at the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Youcef Hamame, 17-year-old Algerian contestant, said that since he started memorising the Quran he heard so much about DIHQA. "I have always been dreaming of winning the prestigious award one day," he said.
"To compete in this big competition is not only my dream; but also the dream of all the Quran memorisers worldwide. I am so happy to be here in Dubai and be part of the big community of full Quran memorisers from around the world."
Talking about his journey with the Holy Quran, Hamame said that he started memorising the Quran at the age of seven. "I managed to complete this sacred mission in just two years at the age of nine at mosque classes."
Hamame's parents and Quran teacher were a great asset in this journey, he pointed out. "I would not have made it without first God's blessing, and secondly the incessant encouragement of my parents and teachers."
Born in a family committed to the Holy Quran, his elder brother has memorised the Quran in full, and his younger brother is about to complete memorisation also at the mosque classes.
Showing exceptional performance, Hamame was nominated for participation in the award by the Awqaf and Islamic Affairs Ministry in his country during the national week for Quran memorisation.
"I have the honour to represent my country, Algeria, in this competition. I wish to teach the Quran to others as advised by Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), and also be a renowned scholar and an international surgeon."
Reiterating the same, 21-year-old Asghari Mana of the Philippines, said he finished memorising the Quran in two years. "I learnt the Quran in full three years back, at the Zaid bin Thabet Islamic Institute back home in Manila, which is under the Holy Quran Memorisation International Organisation in Saudi Arabia."
Mana has finished his secondary school and is currently studying at the College of Da'wa. "My father has encouraged me to memorise the Quran in full, and finally I have made into DIHQA, my dream Quran competition."
Mana has participated in so many local and international competitions, including the Prince Sultan contest in Indonesia where he came third. Yet, to be eligible for participation in the DIHQA was not easy for him. "I had to excel other competitors and dazzle the arbitration committee with my performance." Though he came third, the first nominee had already participated in DIHQA while the second failed to issue his passport in time. "I was accordingly nominated to participate for the award this year."
21-year-old Ornemba Jaafar of Togo said he memorised the Quran in four years when he was 17. "My mother, a Quran teacher, helped and encouraged me so much to have this honour and learn the Quran in full at the mosque."
Showing good performance in a local competition, he was nominated for the 21st edition of the DIHQA. "I study business administration at the French University and wish to be a Quran teacher as well."
ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com
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