Ref: AK/PR/2015/59
The 11th AFED Annual Qur’an competition – QC 11 which is organized annually by the Africa Federation Tableegh Board – AFTAB was this year graciously hosted by the KSI Jamaat of Mwanza from 14th to 16th August 2015.
The aim of the Qur’an competition is to encourage and promote the recitation, awareness and understanding of the Holy Qur’an, also to promulgate its message amongst the children, young and older generations in our community, so that this benefits all spiritually and rationally.
Categories and Number of Participants:
All Jamaats under Africa Federation were given the opportunity to select among their members four candidates (2 male and 2 female) for participation in each category:
- Open Qur’an recitation
- 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
For the third category “Fadhilah of Ahlulbayt (AS) from the holy Qur’an”, Jamaats were given the opportunity to select six candidates among their members (3 male and 3 female). This category was for two age groups i.e. 15 to 18 years and 18+ years.
For the first time in the history of AFED Quran Competition, a massive number of 170 participants from the following ten Jamaats took part in the various categories in the 11th Quran Competition:
- Arusha
- Bukoba
- Dar es Salaam
- Mombasa
- Moshi
- Mwanza
- Nairobi
- Tanga
- Zanzibar Hujjat
- Zanzibar Kuwwat
In the welcome address by the Vice Chairman of Mwanza Jamaat, Alhaj Mohamed Moledina, he expressed his profound appreciation to AFED for designating Mwanza Jamaat to host the 11th AFED Qurán Competition, he said it was an opportunity for all participants including members of Mwanza Jamaat to use this platform and build stronger bonds and make new acquaintances.
The AFTAB Chairman, Seyed Hassan Naqvi in his address stressed the need for all Jamaats 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 tafsir, he pointed out that our Madressahs have an important role to play in this regard.
The competition was adjudicated by a panel of experts, in whose criteria encompassed vital areas of recitation rules, delivery and ability of the participants. The commitment and conscientiousness of the panel of experts is greatly valued and appreciated.
The Grand Closing Ceremony was held at the Lake English Medium Primary School grounds in Mwanza on Sunday, 16th August followed by dinner. It was attended by the AFED Hon. Secretary Alhaj Aunali Khalfan, AFTAB Chairman Syed Hassan Naqvi, Chairman of Arusha Jamaat, Chairman of Bukoba Jamaat, Chairman of Zanzibar Jamaat (Hujjat), Vice Chairman of Nairobi Jamaat, Vice Chairman of Mwanza Jamaat, Scholars, Jamaat officials and Resident Aalims from several Jamaats, Chairman of BMMT Mwanza Branch, Parents of participating children and community members, both ladies and gents.
At the Closing Ceremony, following a welcome address by the Vice Chairman of Mwanza Jamaat, Alhaj Mohamed Moledina, the Hon. Secretary of AFED, Alhaj Aunali Khalfan addressed the gathering conveyed his thanks on half of the AFED Chairman and the Office Bearers of AFED to Mwanza Jamaat for hosting the 11th Qur’an Competition and commended the QC11 Organizing Team for their diligence and for the excellent arrangements. He also thanked Br. Murtaza Alloo and his family for the sacrifices and untiring efforts in making this event successful and a memorable one.
Aunali Bhai expressed appreciation to the Jamaats, Parents, Judges, Madressah Teachers and Maalims for their efforts in training and encouraging the children to take part in this annual event. He was pleased to learn that the performance this year had surpassed that of last year, this is indicative of the continuous improvements and growing interest in the Qurán Competition has brought about in our children, both in recitation and better understanding.
In recognition of dedication and superb services and commitment by the volunteers from the planning, preparations and up to successful conclusion of the QC11, Africa Federation donated two Ziyarat packages to Iraq during Arbaeen to be awarded to two best volunteers who were involved in the QC 11 organization, one male and one female.
Similarly, Sis. Fatma Hasham of Fast Track Travels of Dar es Salaam donated two Ziyarat packages to Iraq during Arafat to be awarded to other two best volunteers, one male and one female.
The volunteers who were awarded are Alihussein Khakoo, Suhail Khimji, Fatma Mistry and Nargis Hemani. We congratulate them all for having got an opportunity for the spiritual journey to Iraq and may Allah (swt) accept their visits and shower His blessings, Ameen.
Seyed Hassan Naqvi, the Chairman of AFTAB, in his speech thanked the Mwanza Jamaat for hosting the competition and paid tribute to the selfless services of the QC 11 team and by 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.
Sheikh Nuru Mohamed, the Resident Aalim of Nairobi Jamaat, on behalf of the other Judges spoke on the importance of reciting the Holy Qur’an. He stressed that children should attend Quran Classes from young age and should be encouraged to pursue Arabic classes to understand the Qurán better and be role models for others. He was impressed with the depth of knowledge some participants had on the “Fadhilat of Ahlulbayt (a.s.) in the Holy Qurán.
Below are photographs of some of the Awards and Recognitions presentations at the Grand Closing Ceremony of QC 11 on Sunday, August 9, 2015.
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. We wish to thank all the supporters, donors and well-wishers for their support and cooperation.
Please recite Sura-e-Fateha for all our past leaders of the Jamaats and AFED, and pray for their maghferat.
A comprehensive report will be issued by AFTAB Secretariat soon.
SECRETARIAT