INTRODUCTION
Bilal Muslim Mission of Kenya organizes its Annual Quran competition for madrassa kids towards the end of the Holy month of Ramadhan. This year’s competition was faced with challenges due to the restrictions imposed by the government to slow the spread of the COVID-19 global pandemic.
It was due to this challenge that the Mission came up with a quick initiative to ensure that our kids are able to participate in the Annual Quran Recitals and memorization competition.
The administration organized the competition to be held online through ZOOM and SKYPE software which was successfully conducted, Alhamdulillah.
All participating centres conducted rehearsal through the software with the technical team, as the Mission facilitated the involved centre staff with data bundles to access the online competition.
COMPETITION
In an effort to encourage our students to recite the Holy Quran, Bilal Muslim Mission of Kenya organized its first ever Online Quran Recitation Competition which was held on 22nd May 2020 for Madrassah students. 12 out of the 15 centres managed by Bilal Kenya participated in the competition with each centre representing a maximum of 5 students. A total of 52 students participated in the competition under the following three categories:
- Quran memorization Juzuu 30.
- Quran memorization 1/2 Juzuu 30, i.e from Surah Nas to Fajr.
- Quran recitation (12 of Juzuu 29)
Parents and mubaligheen provided the required support and co-ordination during the program to make it a success. The judges of the competition were; Sheikh Aidarus Athman and Sheikh Adan Mohammad Hassan. The organizing committee included Sheikh Musa Shali- Coordinator of the program, Sheikh Yahya Mwangi- Quran Competition Facilitator and Media Team (Sis. Bintihamisi Ramadhan and Br. Yusuf Abwanzo).
The youngest participant was Rukia Mwanaidi of 10 years old from Madrasatul Rahma, Kilungu Centre and the eldest was Hadija Shee of 24 years old from Madrasatul Ahlul Kisaa, Kichakamkwaju Centre.The judges were impressed with the participants and advised them on ways to recite Quran precisely from its source of origin in order not to change the meaning of the verses of Quran.
They also advised students to learn rules that are related to reading the Holy Quran. Students were also encouraged to memorize more from the holy Quran and to practice their memorization regularly during this period as we face the global crisis. Sheikh Aidarus appreciated the Mission, mubaligheen, parents and the students for taking part in this competition of reciting the Holy Quran. He emphasized on the students and mubaligheen to continue with the exercise as this was the only way to overcome challenges that we are facing due to outbreak of COVID-19. Judges also thanked the Mission for their continuous support to ensure the success of the online Quran Competition. The committee encouraged parents to take the responsibility to ensure that their children are improving in their recitation by motivating them.
HADIYA/GIFTS
The winning students from each category that participated in the competition were presented with Gifts by the Mission. In addition, to motivate and to appreciate efforts of centre staff, judges, the organizing committee, the Mission set aside Hadiya for them as well.
RESULTS
52 students from 12 Madrasah’s participated. The top students were as follows:
The top three centres were:
CHALLENGES
We faced challenges both in the field and the location where the competition was being hosted, these included:
- Low network coverage from Bilal Centers.
- Lack of quality smartphones and laptops.
- Slow internet speed (2mbps) from the hosting location (Mtongwe).
- Limited time to host meetings through ZOOM as we are using basic plan which gives 40 minutes per meeting.
- Due to the pandemic, there’s curfew which has limited madaris kids to be taught at the centers.
Please click on the link below to watch the video:
Bilal Muslim Mission of Kenya and the organizing
committee of the Quran Competition appreciates your generous contribution which
ensured a smooth running of this program. The Committee also thanks all those
involved in this program.
We pray through the Wasila of the Ahlul Bayt (as) that the Almighty provide you
with good health, long life and Tawfiqat so that you can continue to serve in
His way. Ameen.
Thanking you,
With Salaams and duas.
Bilal Muslim Mission of Kenya
Prepared & Compiled by: Yusuf Abwanzo & Faraah Sumar
June 2020