KG Quran memorisers steal the Ajman show

The 5th edition of Dar Al Ber Quran and Sunnah Award saw 1,300 contestants from 40 schools

Dr Shaikh Majid Bin Saeed Al Nuaimi, Chairman of the Ruler’s Court Ajman while honouring KG1 Quran memoriser Abdullah Ahmed during the Dar Al Ber Quran and Sunnah Award - Supplied photo

4 and a half-year-old Abdullah Ahmed, Egyptian, one of the top winners of the Dar Al Ber Quran and Sunnah Award 2015 - Supplied photo

Ajman — The 5th edition of the Dar Al Ber Quran and Sunnah Award saw a record participation of 1,300 competitors from 40 schools and Islamic institutes across the emirate of Ajman.

Dr Shaikh Majid bin Saeed Al Nuaimi, Chairman of the Ruler’s Court Ajman, honoured the winners in the concluding ceremony held recently at the Ajman Cultural Centre.

The event, run by the Dar Al Ber Society on an annual basis, this year saw the first-of-its-kind category for kindergarten memorisers, and also witnessed a 25 per cent jump in the number of competitors as compared to last year.

The excellent performance of the young kids, who showed full command of the rules of tuneful recitation and narration of Hadiths or collections of reports of the teachings, deeds and sayings of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him), left the audience in awe. One of the budding Quran memorisers was four-and a-half-year-old Abdullah Ahmed, an Egyptian, who goes to Al Hikma Private School in Ajman, KG1, at Al Nuaimiya area.

Though still young, Abdullah brilliantly memorised all the chapters of the final volume of the 30-part Quran.

“I only had to learn six small chapters from Quraish to Al Nas to be eligible for participation, but my Quran tutor helped me memorise more,” he told Khaleej Times.

Abdullah, whose father is a journalist and mother is a pharmacist, studies the Quran six days a week at home. “Renowned Sheikh Moheb Abdul Ghani, from Tanta Province of Egypt, also teaches me, my brother and sister how to professionally recite the holy Quran,” he added.

Abdullah initially suffered from some difficulty in talking, but that soon ended after he started learning the Quran, said his father.

“God bless Abdullah. He has become more cooperative a

nd active at home and in the school, all due to the Quran.” Paying tributes to his Quran teacher Sheikh Moheb, the father said the prominent scholar is extremely dedicated to his sacred mission. “He sincerely keeps reminding my kids, and explains the verses to them in a simplified manner.”

Dr Roua Ramadan, mother of Abdullah, said the house becomes more serene during her kids’ Quran tuition.

 “The Quran has changed the life of all my family members for the better. They are quieter, more obedient, and study harder,” she said, urging parents to teach their children the Quran.

“The cash prizes have significantly jumped from Dh30,000 in the first edition to Dh90,000 in the second, Dh160,000 in the third, and Dh250,000 for the fourth,” he indicated.

“The prize money ranged from Dh500 to Dh3,000 according to performance, memorisation, and recitation.”

Ali Hassan shed light on the importance of teaching the Quran and Sunnah or the way of life prescribed on the basis of the teachings and practices of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) to young children.

“Encouraging students to memorise the Quran is not only in compliance with the advice of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), but also has a positive impact on their behaviour.”

ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com

• UAE