Al Aqsa imam attends Quran award session

The Dubai International Holy Quran Award (Dihqa) has set a good example by reviving the holy book in the souls and hearts of young memorisers.

Ibrahim Bu Melha honours Dr Sheikh Ekrima Sabri. —Supplied photo

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This was said by Dr Sheikh Ekrima Sabri, grand mufti of Jerusalem and head imam of Al Aqsa Mosque, who attended the award session on Saturday night.

Paying tributes to the generous sponsorship of the award by His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, he said, “The contest is seeing a stiff competition this year with memorisation and recitation.”

“All young Quran memorisers are eager to participate in this award.”

Mohammed bin Hamid Al Marri, assistant executive director for financial affairs, Mohammed bin Rashid Housing Establishment, said the award is one of the best in the Arab and Islamic world. “It is our duty to boost community activities here, mainly of Dihqa.”

Abdul Razzaq Al Abdallah, CEO – Dubai Islamic Humanitarian Foundation, said the Dubai Islamic Bank, which runs the foundation, is one of the early sponsors of the award. “We are honoured to play this role and provide our integrated services to society.”

“Dihqa, completing its 18 years of glory and honour, has become a milestone in all Quran awards across the globe in terms of its diversity, big number of participants and its valuable branches,” he added.

Meanwhile, 64 out of 80 memorisers have sat for final tests of the award.

Ibrahim Bu Melha, Adviser to the Ruler of Dubai for Cultural and Humanitarian Affairs, who also chairs the organising committee of DIHQA, said the global competition will see eight more memorisers tonight.

“They are Mohammed Arif (USA), Ahamat Mahamat-Zene-Attahir (Central Africa), Ibrahima Oumar Saydou Ba (Senegal), Abubacarr Ceesay (Gambia), Wai Yan Soe (Myanmar), Malam Fati (Guinia Bissau), Mohamed Bahazzou (Belgium), and Abdurakhmon Akhmedov (Kyrgyzstan).”

Earlier, Bu Melha said seven contestants were disqualified for below-par performance in memorisation and recitation. The competitors found ineligible were from Thailand, China, Bosnia, Mauritius, Serbia, Russia, and Croatia.

The 12-category global contest is organised every Ramadan.

ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com