Ref: AK/PR/2013/008
The KSI Jamaat of Arusha hosted the 9th AFED Annual Qur’an competition on 14th and 15th September 2013 under the Africa Federation Tableegh Board – AFTAB. The competition was fully sponsored by the Federation of KSI Jamaats of Africa (AFED).
The aim of the Qur’an competition is to encourage and promote the recitation, awareness and understanding of the Holy Qur’an, and to propagate its message amongst the young and older generations in our community.
Categories and Number of Participants:
All Jamaats were given the opportunity to select among their members four candidates (2 male and 2 female) for participation in each category:
i) Open Qur’an recitation
ii) Hifdh
For the following age groups:
- Group 1: 10 – 12 Years
- Group 2: 12+ – 15 Years
- Group 3: 15+ – 18 Years
- Group 4: 18+ Years
This year, a third category was introduced; “Fadhilah of Ahlulbayt (AS) from the holy Qur’an” for which 30 selected verses was sent to the jamaats for the participants’ perusal each having a merit related to the members of Ahlulbayt (AS). Jamaats were to propose 3 participants from each (3 Males and 3 Females) from ages 10 and above.
The AFTAB Chairman, Seyed Hassan Naqvi at the opening ceremony in his address stressed the need for all Jamaats under AFED to encourage and make special efforts for the children and the youth of our community, both boys and girls to learn the Holy Qur’an and its tafseer, he pointed out that our Madrassahs have an important role to play in this regard.
Participating Jamaats
Seven Jamaats comprising of 132 participants from all over the East Africa took part in various categories in the 9th Quran Competition, as mentioned below:
The AFTAB Chairman was saddened by the absence of participation by some Jamaats and expressed his hope that these Jamaats will endeavor to participate in the future events.
The lead Judge Sheikh Swaleh also addressed the participants explaining the system and method of judging being adopted. The competition was judged by a panel of experts, all of whom hailed from DSM, in whose criteria encompassed critical areas of recitation rules, delivery and ability of the participants. The dedication, commitment and conscientiousness of the panel of experts is greatly valued and appreciated.
As for the third category that was introduced this year “Fadhilah of Ahlulbayt (AS) from the Holy Qur’an” was judged by Maulana Nurulhasan, Resident Aalim of Arusha Jamaat. Participants under this category varied significantly in terms of their age groups as the competition was open to anyone above the age of 10. Thus the participants were graded in letters and descriptors.
Closing Ceremony
The Grand Closing Ceremony was held in Arusha Mosque on Sunday, 15th September at 8:20 p.m. followed by dinner. The ceremony was attended by Arusha Jamaat officials and dignitaries, AFED Honorary Secretary, AFED Councillors from Arusha, Chairman of AFED Sports Council, participants, parents, religious scholars, judges, Heads of Madressahs, Madressah Teachers, , AFTAB members, AFED Women’s Board chairperson, Arusha Ladies Managing Committee Members and community members.
At the Closing Ceremony, the President of Arusha Jamaat, Alhaj Ghulamhussein Mukhtar stated that the Arusha Jamaat was proud to host the Qur’an competition this year, and stressed on the importance of organizing such events that aims in encouraging the recitation and Hifdh of the Holy Qur’an. He also placed optimism in the expectation that more would be done to promote the recitation and study of the Holy Book by our Jamaats.
In his key address, the Hon. Secretary of the Africa Federation, Alhaj Aunali Khalfan who was the Chief Guest at the Closing Ceremony underlined and stressed the importance of strengthening Madressahs and operating them professionally giving an example of well structured and resourceful Vision Learning Centre (VLC – Madressah) in Mwanza, under the patronage of Br. Murtaza Alloo. He also spoke on the importance of teaching Arabic language to the students in Madressahs; thereby they would be in a better position to understand the verses of the Holy Qurán, its meaning and translation. He assured the Jamaats of AFED’s support for the Madressahs, and explained on the ongoing project of the World Federation with the Regional Federations in developing the “Madressah Centre of Excellence”. He thanked Arusha Jamaat for hosting the event, and the Organizing Committee for making this noble task possible.
On behalf of Seyed Hassan Naqvi, Br. Murtaza Kara, AFTAB Board Member in his speech thanked the Arusha Jamaat for hosting the competition and paid tribute to the selfless services of the Organizing Committee and the volunteers. He also stressed that the success of the competition is very much dependent upon the efforts by the organizing Jamaat and parents and urged the parents to support and encourage this endeavor for the spiritual development of these talented participants and that every participant is a winner.
The Convener of the host Organizing Committee, Br. Rizwan Peera, thanked all the donors, volunteers, and participants, parents, and various community organizations that helped in the organization, logistics, and management of the competition. He concluded by stating that without the dedication of all those involved, an event such as this would have been a difficult task.
AFTAB thanked Arusha Jamaat with a token of appreciation for being a wonderful host and making the program a success. The Judges too were honoured for their dedication in the process of the competition without whose commitments, it would have been difficult.
The Winners and Prizes
All participants received a Certificate and a Medal of Recognition. We wish to thank the various donors including the well-wishers from the Arusha Jamaat for their generous contributions towards cash prizes, we pray to the Almighty to reward them amply for their benevolence contributions for this noble event.
The winners of the Open Qur’an recitation and Hifdh received Trophies while each of the participants of the Category of Fadhilah of Ahlulbayt (AS) from the Holy Qur’an received Plaques.
Qur’an Hifdh
On behalf of the Chairman, the Office Bearers and the Trustees of Africa Federation, we wish to express our heartiest congratulations and thanks to AFTAB for organizing yet another successful Qur’an Competition.
The Chairman, Alhaj Anwarali Dharamsi and the Office Bearers of the Africa Federation wish to express our profound appreciation to the host Jamaat – Arusha, the Organizing Committee, Volunteers, Judges, Participating Jamaats/Madressahs, Heads of Madressahs and Teachers, Parents and Guardians who accompanied their children to Arusha, Participants, well-wishers, sponsorers and members of Arusha Jamaat for their unflinching support and cooperation throughout the event.
SECRETARIAT