Quran brings happiness for contestants

Sri Lankan contestant Ahmed Umar Abdul Rauf

Memorising the Holy Quran brings happiness and salvation in life and the Hereafter, according to Quran contestants participating in the 20th edition of the Dubai International Holy Quran Award.
Of those is 20-year-old Alabdulmunim Turki Muqrin from Saudi Arabia, who has dedicated himself for this sacred mission. "I started learning the Quran in my early childhood, but managed to thoroughly memorise the Quran at the age of 15."
Muqrin, a university student of Islamic studies, used to learn the Quran in the mosque. "I came third in the King Salman Quran Award this year, and has, therefore, been nominated for DIHQA by the Ministry of Awqaf, Saudi Arabia.
Dedicating himself to the Quran to be safe and happy in life and after death, 21-year-old Alaa M. S. Dwikat, Palestine, said he has been participating in the Aqsa Quran contest in Palestine since he was eight years old.
"I have memorised the Quran when I was 16 with the help of my uncle and mother who used to support me a lot."
Dwikat, a master's degree student at the University of Najah, College of Shariah, wishes to do a PhD in the sciences of the Quran and Qiraat or schools of recitation to benefit his country and people.
Showing good performance in the Quran forum contest in his university, Dwikat has been nominated for DIHQA by the ministry of Awqaf in Ramallah.
"Participation in the Dubai International Holy Quran Award has been my ultimate dream," he said, noting that the Quran has a very fruitful impact on his life. "I have won people's love and respect due to the Holy Quran."
Learning the Quran is the real way out of all worldly troubles and loss for 17-year-old Bilal Abdulkhalikov, Daghstan, who took three years to memorise the Quran in full. "I started learning the Quran when I was eight and finished at the age of 11."
He used to memorise one page of the Quran every day. "I participated in the King Abdulaziz Holy Quran Award in Makkah in 2011, other international Quran contests in Bahrain in 2013, and finally in Algeria in 2015."
Learning the Quran brings the ultimate happiness, victory and respect in life and after death for 17-year-old Mohammad Hazri Hamzani, Brunei, who managed to memorise the Quran in two years. "I started at the age of 12 and finished memorisation when I was 14."
He used to learn one page per day with the help of his parents and siblings, mainly his 16-year-old sister who memorises the Quran in full.
"I have participated in a Quran contest in Brunei this year. Though the result has not been announced yet, I am sure I have done well."
Hamzani, showing good performance, has been nominated for a number of international Quran competitions in Jordan and Indonesia. "I have been nominated for the Dubai Award by the ministry of Islamic affairs in Brunei," he said, wishing to be a Quran, Islamic and Arabic studies teacher in the future.
ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com