A Nigerian contestant Sulaiman Isah, a Qur’an memoriser, has won in the Dubai International Holy Qur’an (DIHQA) contest held in Dubai.
Isah was awarded Dh250, 000.Also honoured was the ‘Islamic Personality of the Year’, Dr. Ahmad Al ayyeb , Grand Mufti of the Al Azhar religious institution in Egypt. He received Dh1 million as part of the award.
The first runner-up was Omar Baeisa from Saudi Arabia, who won Dh200, 000; while the third position went to Mohammad Yasin from Yemen, who won Dh150, 000.
The other top 10 contestants won cash prizes between Dh65, 000 and Dh35, 000. This year, two contestants who scored identical marks were ranked eight and ‘second eight’. Meanwhile, contestants who scored 80 percent and above were rewarded with Dh30, 000 each, while those whose performance scored 70-79 percent received Dh25, 000 each.
Participants with scores below 70 per cent got Dh20, 000 each. Bu Melha said the Award, which started with two sections in 1997, has now branched out to 12 categories this year and has seen the participation of 160 countries over its 18-year history.
“This is basically due to the incessant support of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai,” he added.
DIHQA is held every Ramadan under the patronage of Shaikh Mohammad. The contest judges the best memorizers and recites of the Quran from participating countries.
DIHQA also hosts Islamic lecturers and raffle prizes for the audience. The contest is held at the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry after the long Taraweeh night prayers in Ramadan.
Children and teens from non-Arab countries make a sizeable representation each year.
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