The 31st round of King Abdul Aziz Qur'an Memorization competition will start here Monday with the participation of several Arab and Muslim countries. One hundred seventy four contestants, representing 96 countries and 71 Islamic centers and societies from around the world will take part in the five-day competition at Grand Coral Hotel here. The competition is being held under the patronage of King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques. Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Endowments, Call and Guidance, the organizer of the competition, seeks to apply several new techniques to search for talent during the event. “Every year many new faces join us from different countries through our website,” said Sheikh Saleh Bin Abdulaziz Aal Al-Sheikh, Minister of Islamic Affairs. The website has several development programs for the conservation and interpretation of the Holy Qur'an this year to make the competition easy. “That way we can get more accurate results,” added Al-Sheikh. These competitions help in spreading Islamic culture and rules overseas since Muslims from different countries participate in them, said Al-Sheikh. “These competitions encourage young Muslims to learn more about their religion. Reading and learning Qur'an is something special that requires both the heart and the mind.” However, he said, these competitions would be more effective if we focus on Muslims who live as minorities in non-Muslim countries. Saud Abdulaziz Al-Ghunaim, a member of the jury at the annual event, lauded the Kingdom's efforts in the service to Islam. “There is no area in the service to Islam where the Kingdom is not playing a prominent role,” said Al-Ghunaim. Many charity associations are taking part in the competition. The Jeddah Charity Association for Memorizing Qur'an will be representing the Kingdom this year. “This is a great honor for us,” said Al-Aziz Bin Abdullah Hanafi, president of the association. The Holy Qur'an acts as a strong link to unify Muslims and strengthen ties among them, he said. The competition, started 30 years ago, aims to teach the participants from around the world how best to read the Holy Book and comprehend its meanings and the laws issued by the Almighty. The participants will also get a chance to visit several areas around the holy city of Makkah including the factory that produces the Kiswa (the Ka'ba cover), a museum of the Two Holy Mosques and Makkah Club for Culture and Art, said Ahmad Al-Nwawi, head of the ministry's public relations department in Makkah.
