The Sri Lankan consulate conducted a Qur'an recitation competition in different phases recently. The finals were held on April 9 at the consulate's premises. Students were divided into four categories. The first category had students between 7-13 years of age. They could recite any verses from the 30th Juz of the Qur'an. Students between 13-18 years of age formed the second category and they were required to recite from 28-29 Juz of the Qur'an, while the older ones (category of above 18 and university students) could recite any Surah of the Qur'an. Four finalists were selected from each category in the first phase of the competition held on March 19, who went on to compete for the finals last week. Two guests – N.M. Ameen, president of the Muslim Council of Sri Lanka and editor-in-chief of Navamani newspaper and Nooraniya Hassan, director of the Muslim service of Sri-Lanka broadcasting corporation – were specially invited for this event. The purpose of this event, organized by the Holy Qur'an Memorization International organization (HQMIO) was to encourage the Sri Lankan community in the Kingdom to learn the proper recitation of the Qur'an as per Tajweed. “(Such) events are an opportunity for participants to interact among themselves and to get them introduced to the members and scholars of HQMIO,” said Consul General of Sri Lanka, Abdul Latiff Mohammed Lafeer. “It is my wish that one day these participants having learnt more of Qur'an will be in a position to impart their knowledge to their kith and kin and to their brothers and sisters in Islam in Sri-Lanka.” “Through this competition, we want to expose talented students to native Arab speakers and encourage them,” he added. Dr. Abdullah Bin Basfar, secretary general of HQMIO sent a message praising such competitions and activities. He mentioned the Prophet's (peace be upon him) Hadith, “The best among you are the ones who learn the Qur'an and teach it to others.” The following were the winners in the final competition: First category 1. Asma Mazmi 2. Fathima Mazi 3. Musthafa Ahmed Second category: 1. Abdul Rahman Mohamed Ibrahim 2. Abdul Rahman Mohammed Ziyad 3. Ayesha Mohamed Ziyad Third category: 1. Fathima Rikaza Rifkey 2. Fathima Rihana Muhammed Lafir 3. Noordeen Fowzul Ameer University students: 1. Mohamed Siyam 2. Ahamed Sabri Atham Lebbe The winners received prizes, while all participants received certificates from the organization.
