Bangladeshi Hafez third in Quran recitation in Makkah
In the 43rd King Abdul Aziz International Hafzul Qur'an and Tafseer Competition held in the Holy Makkah of Saudi Arabia, two Bangladeshi Hafez have brought glory to Bangladesh by winning third and fourth place in their respective groups.
Hafez Faisal Ahmad won the third place in the Qur'an Hifz group full of beautiful voices with Tajwid in the competition. As a reward, he received 180 thousand Saudi Riyals, a certificate of honor and a crest.
Hafez Md. Mushfiqur Rahman another contestant who participated in the 15-para Hifz group with Tajwid won the fourth position. He received 1 lakh 20 thousand Saudi Riyals, certificate of honor and crest as a reward.
166 Hafez from 117 countries participated in the competition.
The winners were announced in a colorful ceremony on Wednesday (September 6) night in the newly expanded part of the Grand Mosque. On behalf of King Salman Bin Abdul Aziz of Saudi Arabia, the Governor of Makkah Mukarrama Sheikh Bandar Bin Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz and the Minister of Religion of Saudi Arabia Sheikh Dr. Abdul Latif awarded the prizes.
Khatib of the Kaaba Sheikh Saleh Al Humaid, Sheikh Abdul Rahman As Sudais, Sheikh Maher Al Muaikili, Sheikh Yasir Ad Dawsari, Secretary of Mosque Affairs Sheikh Sulaiman Bin Fahad, Chairman of the Judiciary Committee and Khatib of King Salman Bin Abdul Aziz Palace Sheikh Abdullah were present at the awarding ceremony. Bin Abdur Rahman Ash Shishri, Muhammad Bin Ahmad Al Barhaji, Judge of the competition Maulana Waliur Rahman Khan of Bangladesh, Shaykh Muhammad Bin Atiq and Abu Bakr Bin Muallim along with senior military and civil officials.
Hafez Faisal Ahmad is a student of Markazut Tahfiz International Madrasah in the capital. The founder and director of the madrasa is Shaykh Hafez Neshar Ahmad Aan Nashiri. Hafez Faisal won the second place in the international Quran competition held in Libya in March this year. And Hafez Mushfiqur Rahman is a student of Cox's Bazar educational institution Mahad Aan Nibras.
On August 25, the 43rd international competition started in Makkah under the supervision of the Ministry of Islam and Dawah Affairs of Saudi Arabia. Winners in five categories of the competition will receive a total of 40 lakh Saudi Riyals.
According to the Ministry of Islamic Affairs of Saudi Arabia, the competition is held in five categories. That is - 1. Quran Hifz full of beautiful voice with seven kirat in Shatabi method, 2. Quran Hifz full of beautiful voice with tajwid and tafseer of single words, 3. Quran Hifz full of beautiful voice with Tajwid, 4. 15 Para Hifz with Tajwid, 5. Five Para Hifz including Tajwid (the latter category applies to non-OIC countries).
Last year (2022) Hafez Saleh Ahmad Takrim from Bangladesh took part in this competition and won the third place. As the winner, he received a prize of one lakh riyals (about 2.7 lakh taka) and an honorary crest. Earlier in this competition in 2013, Hafez Nazmus Saqib won the first place among 70 countries. In 2017, Hafez Abdullah Al Mamun won first place among 73 countries.