Memorisers: Quran is your expressway for academic excellence

Contestants from various countries at the Dubai International Holy Quran Award say memorising Quran helps Sharpening mental abilities.

Contestants of the Dubai International Holy Quran Awards Adam Hissen Youssouf, Mohammad Hossein Behzadfar and Bilal Chamssi. -Supplied photos 

Dubai – While learning the Quran is so simple for some kids as they can easily listen, read and write its verses on their smart devices, this was not the case for 15-year-old contestant at the Dubai International Holy Quran Award, Adam Hissen Youssouf from Chad, who used to learn the Quran on wood boards as was in old days.

Nonetheless, this was not an obstacle for a brilliant young man with firm determination like Youssouf. “It was hard in the beginning, but I took the challenge, and completed my journey with the Holy Quran in just three years.”

Youssouf, who now studies psychology and sociology at the University of N'Djamena, did not waste his time since his early age. “It is a matter of discipline and order; I learn hard, but give sometime for play as well.”

Showing an exceptional performance and topping more than 121 competitors in a local Quran contest, Youssouf was qualified for participation in the Dubai International Holy Quran Award this year by the Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs in Chad.

Though it is the first international challenge for Youssouf, he is so happy and proud to be here. “Participating in the award was actually a sweet dream I have been having for five years,” he said, wishing to seize the top position.

The same wood-board technique was successfully used by 14-year-old Moroccan contestant Bilal Chamssi whose father was the key word in his journey with the Quran which he started at the age of seven and finished at ten.

This Grade-9 student has participated in so many local contests back home, and managed to seize top positions and awards several times. “Having reached first in the Mohammed VI National Quran Award, I have been nominated for participation in the Dubai contest which is well-known for its fantastic organisation.”

Memorising the Quran is never a waste of time, he added. “On the contrary, it better streamlines one’s timing, study, exercise, play, and everything, let alone the benefits of Quran in terms of academic performance,” he said, wishing to be a doctor and a scholar in the future to treat people’s bodies and hearts.

Enthralling the audience with his beautiful and confident recitation, Iranian competitor Mohammad Hossein Behzadfar has adopted a fruitful technique in memorising the Quran.

“Understanding the meaning of the verses was so helpful to me to learn the Quran by heart. It was a sacred journey I started when I was six and finished at the age of ten.”

Memorising the Quran has sharpened Behzadfar’s mental abilities, positively boosted his academic performance, and amazingly reduced his school years as he always finished two grades in one year. “I just put things in order and follow a strict schedule that I have far excelled all my peers by virtue of the Holy Quran.”

Having topped all competitors in a recent local competition, the Ministry of Awqaf in Iran has nominated Behzadfar for the Dubai contest. “This is not my first international participation, as I have competed in a similar award in Bangladesh, but Dubai award is another story; it is so well-organised.”

The unsung hero in Behzadfar’s journey with the Holy Quran was his mother though. “He is genius, but becomes more brilliant owing to the Quran. I used to compassionately teach him the Quran,” she said, pointing out that the Holy Quran was the main reason behind his academic excellence.

ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com

• UAE