Ref: PR/QC/2014/032
The Shia Asna Asheri Jamaat (SAAJ) Nairobi successfully hosted the 10th AFED Annual Qur’an Competition, organized by the Africa Federation Tabligh Board (AFTAB) from 8th to 10th August 2014 in Nairobi, Kenya.
The purpose of the Qur’an competitions 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 members in our community.
Categories and Number of Participants:
All Jamaats were given the opportunity to select amongst their members four candidates (2 male and 2 female) for participate in each category:
- Open Qur’an recitation
- Hifdh and Translation prestigious
For the following age groups:
- Group 1: 10 – 12 Years
- Group 2: 12+ – 15 Years
- Group 3: 15+ – 18 Years
- Group 4: 18+ Years
After the success of the new category “Fadhilah of Ahlulbayt (AS) from the holy Qur’an” last year, this was split into two age groups this year:
- 15 to 18 years participants were provided with 15 selected verses of the Holy Qur’an along with their translations
- 18+ years participants were provided with 30 selected verses along with their translation.
The participants were required to thoroughly study all the verses and randomly select 2 verses for presentation and were judged based on the following:
- History & background
- Connection to Ahlulbayt
- Lessons learnt
- Application in our lives
- Clarity of explanation
Seyed Hassan Naqvi emphasized the importance of the Annual Qura’n Competition and pointed the following:
- The competition is gradually achieving its objectives and that we should all continue to encourage more participation.
- He stressed that Jamaats should provide more opportunities and commended the Qur’an Drive initiative of Dsm Jamaat which should be also introduced in other places.
- He stressed on the importance of reciting the Holy Qur’an, and also to explore, ponder, reflect and consequently use it in all aspects of life.
- He thanked all the participants and especially those who took part in the Fadhilah of Ahlulbayt category for their commitment to embark on this intense exercise of research. He urged them to continue in this endeavor and believed that this process has enabled them to understand the holy Household through the holy Quran and has contributed to their spiritual development. Being very impressed by the outcome, he commended the participants for their great level of achievement and quoted the reaction of the Judge who said the presentations were fireworks. He also encouraged the participants to consider taking Higher Islamic Education and committed AFTAB’s support to provide and facilitate it.
- He specially thanked all the Judges for their time and effort.
Participating Jamaats
This year, we had a record of eight Jamaats, namely: Arusha, Dar es Salaam, Mombasa, Moshi, Mwanza, Nairobi, Tanga, and Zanzibar and a total of 149 participants who took part in various categories of the Quran Competition. We would emphasized other Jamaats to take part in this competition and give opportunities to their young members to join their fellows.
Sheikh Abdallah, one of the judges also addressed the participants explaining the system and method of judging being adopted. The Competition comprised of Recitation, Memorization (Hifdh) Translation and Quiz which was judged by a panel of five experts, hailed from Dar-es-Salaam, Nairobi and the UK, in whose criteria encompassed critical areas of recitation rules including Accuracy, Fluency, Makharij, Tajweed, delivery and ability of the participants.
The dedication and enthusiasm of the panel of experts was greatly valued and appreciated. The Judges were: Br Murtaza Bandali, Sheikh Abdallah Said, Sheikh Saeed Idd Saeed, Sister Zahida Mazahir and Sheikh Nuru Muhammed, the Resident Aalim of SAAJ.
Closing Ceremony
The Grand Closing Ceremony was held at the Nairobi Imambargha on Sunday, 10th August at 9:00 p.m. preceded by dinner. It was blessed with the melodious recitation of the Holy Qur’an by three of the judges who are also Qaris. The Ceremony was attended by Nairobi Jamaat officials and dignitaries, AFTAB Chairman, AFTAB Board members, AFED Nominated Councillor, Religious Scholars, judges, AYN Chairperson, AYN team members, AFED Women’s Board Chairperson, Nairobi Jamaat Ladies Managing Committee members, participants, parents and community members.
Votes of Thanks were presented by AFTAB Chairman, Seyed Hassan Naqvi and Alhaj Murtaza Kara, Member of the AFTAB Qur’an Organizing team and AFTAB Board Member, who immensely appreciated the Nairobi Jamaat for hosting the competition, the selfless services of the Organizing Committee and the Volunteers. AFTAB on behalf of the Africa Federation thanked all those who contributed in one way or the other, be it in participation, parents support, Madressahs and various community organizations and individual members that helped in the organization and support for this event.
The AFTAB Board presented Nairobi Jamaat with a token of appreciation for being a wonderful host and making the program a success. The Judges were also honored for their dedication and time.
Alhaj Fazleabbas Chandoo, the Vice President of Nairobi Jamaat, said that his Jamaat was proud to host the Qur’an competition this year and thanked AFTAB for the opportunity to host this event. He also stressed on the importance of organizing such events that aims in encouraging the recitation and Hifdh of the Holy Qur’an. He concluded by stating that without the dedication of all those involved, an event such as this would have been a difficult task. Additionally, on behalf of the patrons of all participating Jamaats, Sheikh Zishaan Haider Naqvi of Zanzibar thanked the host Jamaat and the Organizing Committee for all their hard work, commitment and for the wonderful hospitality.
The Winners and Prizes
The winners of the Open Qur’an Recitation, Hifdh and the Fadhilah of Ahlulbayt (AS) from the Holy Qur’an received Trophies along with Certificates and all the participants received a Certificate of Participation.
Below is the list of winners of the 10th AFED Annual Qur’an Competition:
Open Quran Recitation
Quran Hifdh
Fadhilah of Ahlulbayt (AS)
The Chairman, Alhaj Anwarali Dharamsi and the Office Bearers of the Africa Federation wish to express their profound appreciation to the host Jamaat – SAAJ Nairobi, the Organizing Committee, Volunteers, Judges, Participating Jamaats/Madressahs, Heads of Madressahs and Teachers, also to the Parents and Guardians who accompanied their children to Nairobi, Participants, well-wishers, donors and members of Nairobi Jamaat for their great support and co-operation throughout the event.
On behalf of the Chairman, the Office Bearers and the Trustees of the Africa Federation, we wish to express our profound appreciation to AFTAB for organizing yet another successful Qur’an Competition, May Allah (SWT) reward them all amply here and hereafter, Ameen.
SECRETARIAT