Curtains down on Sheikha Fatima Holy Quran contest

Dubai - Many participants said it is an honour for anyone to participate in the contest.

After six days and nights of Quran auditions by 68 female memorisers from around the globe, the 4th edition of the Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak International Holy Quran Competition came to a close on Thursday.
The competition, held at the Cultural and Scientific Association, Al Mamzar, Dubai, saw a group of aspirant and elite participants who were thrilled to take part in global competition. Many participants said it is an honour for anyone to participate in the contest.
Ibrahim Mohammed Bu Melha, adviser to the Ruler of Dubai for Cultural and Humanitarian Affairs and Chairman of the Organising Committee of the Dubai International Holy Quran Award, said that eight of the 68 memorisers were disqualified for failing to clear the initial qualifying tests."
Youngest contestant memorized Quran in 1.9 years
Eight-year-old Zeinab Tooraj Feizi, who represents Iran, is the youngest participant in the competition.
"I started memorising the Holy Quran when I was only 4.5 years old, and finished when I was aged six years and 3 months old."
Zeinab's brother also is a full Quran memoriser, who participated in the 21st edition of the Dubai International Holy Quran Award.
"My mother was a big help and support for me in this sacred journey. She told me that she was inspired by a young Quran memoriser with a beautiful voice, and wished to have a similar child."
Her mother used to gift Zeinab recordings of Quran recitation by great scholars. "On top of these were the Egyptian iconic Quran readers the late Sheikh Mohammed Siddiq Al Minshawy and Sheikh Mahmoud Khalil Al Husari."
Despite her tight memorisation and perfect recitation, Zeinab was not able to compete in any local or international competitions because of her young age. Zeinab's mother said she sometimes got tired and wanted to stop teaching her daughter. "But she urged me to keep teaching her until she finished."
Zeinab used to learn one page of the Quran per day. "Later, this was increased to three," she added. "She is also reading three Juza or parts of the Quran every day which increased to four during this competition."
ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com

• UAE