INTRODUCTION
Every year, Bilal Muslim Mission of Kenya organizes the Annual Quran competition for Madrasah learners towards the end of the Holy month of Ramadhan. With the advent of Covid-19 restrictions in 2020, the Mission has been conducting the Quran Competition online. This has required participants to meet in small groups to attend the contest through ZOOM video conferencing platform.
COMPETITION
This year the competition was divided into four categories – three of which consisted of different age groups for Madrasah students and the fourth being for Muballighs and teachers. The contest hosted over 30 Shia centers, 15 Bilal Centers and other independent centers from Kwale, Mombasa and Kilifi Counties. The competition was held between 9th May 2021 and 11th May 2021. A total of 300 participants took part from different regions, 80 being the finalists.
Competition Judges (external): Sheikh Aidarus Athman, Sheikh Athman Akbar and Sheikh Juma Shughuli.
Organizing Committee: Sheikh Musa Shali – Coordinator, Bilal Media and ICT team.
Facilitators mobilizing participants from the villages: Sheikh Yahya Mwangi, Sheikh Mahmoud Wathome, Sayyid Twahir Muhammad, Sheikh Ramadhan Mlala, Sheikh Msafir and Sheikh Zainul Abidiin.
Categories of Quran Recitation:
- Juz.30 for madrasa kids age 10-15yrs.
- Juz.29 for madrasa learners Age 16-18.
- Surah 1,111,112,113 & 114 for adults.
- Surah 62, 63, 87 & 91 for Mubaligheen
The support from the administration, judges, parents and
Mubaligheen allowed for maximum co-ordination during the program to make it a
success. Recitation was based on pronunciation guidelines according to Tajwid,
Makharij and Memorization. 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
urged the Mission to continue with the noble exercise not only in the Holy Month
of Ramadhan but throughout the year. Sheikh Aidarus complemented the Mission,
mubaligheen, parents and the students for taking part in this competition of
reciting the Holy Quran.
HADIYA/GIFTS
The winning participants from each category were presented with Gifts. In
addition, to motivate and to appreciate efforts of judges, the organizing
committee and other participants who didn’t win, the Mission set aside
Hadiya/Gifts for them as well.
RESULTS
The results were as follows:
IMPACTS OF THE COMPETITION
- Parents were enlightened on the importance of reciting the Holy Qur’an in their homes.
- Provided mubaligheen with a chance to assess the weakness of Madrasah students.
- Enhanced spiritual nourishment among participants, especially adults.
- The contest also brought together different madaris, promoting unity among different jamaats from Bilal Centres and independent madaris.
CHALLENGES
- Lack of quality devices i.e., Smartphones, webcams and laptops.
- Lack of skilled personnel in the field to assist in cases of technical problems with IT.
- Poor network coverage in some centers.
- Low levels of computer literacy.
- Lack of electricity and network forced some participants to travel far to participate online.
Bilal Muslim Mission of Kenya and the organizing committee of the Quran
Competition appreciate the generous support and assistance received from
various donors towards this exercise.
The Mission also thanks all those involved in the preparation and
delivery of the program.
Bilal Muslim Mission of Kenya
P.O Box 82508-80100
Tel: +254 222 9641
Email: admin@kenbilal.org
Web: www.kenbilal.org
Prepared by & Compiled by:
Yusuf Abwanzo & Faraah Sumar
May 2021