The Africa Federation Tabligh Board (AFTAB) under the umbrella of AFED has been hosting Qur’an Competitions since the year 2003 under different leadership and AFTab teams and the first Qur’an Competition was hosted by Mombasa Jamaat in 2003, thereafter it has been held in different Jamaats in Africa with increased participation each year with more interest towards the competition from several Jamaats.
When Syed Hassan took up the Chairmanship of AFTAB in 2011, his vision was to have every household involved in recitation and discussion on the Holy Qur’an. He wanted to inculcate the importance of the Holy Qur’an into every person; a child, youth, adult or an elderly! Alhamdulillah, Seyed Hassan’s efforts and enthusiasm was incomparable.
Syed Hassan had a vision of expanding the Competition to be often, more inclusive with better understanding of the Holy Qur’an and its meaning. It is with this intention that the 7th Quran Competition held in Dar-es-Salaam in 2011 saw the introduction of the age category of over 18 years of age for participation. A written Surah translation quiz for the younger ones and a written tafseer quiz of a Surah for those over 18 were also introduced.
The AFTAB team was proud to see the Competition grow yearly and the acceptance of this by all the Jamaats! Surely, Syed’s planted seeds were flourishing into full-fledged plants! For all those who know and follow the annual competitions, QCs have traditionally been held after the Holy Month of Ramadhan.
Organizing the competition involves months of planning, preparing and communicating. For Syed the end of one successful competition was the beginning of planning for the next one – such was his passion towards this cause.
Currently, the QC has grown to six different age categories where ages as young as 8 to 41 years and onwards participate. The intention has always been to encourage all age group to partake and benefit. The memorization and Quiz categories have also expanded in that a quiz only category has been introduced in addition to the usual memorization and quiz.
The purpose of this category is to encourage those who are interested in attempting and understanding the Qur’an in form of a quiz. In addition to the above, past few QCs, memorization of a whole juzz was introduced as well with the intention of involving more participants and more Jamaats. Over the years, the love for the Qur’an spread so well that the Competition has seen an increase of participating Jamaats every year Alhamdulillah.
Each participant comes with their utmost passion; enthusiasm and love for the Qur’an. Every bit of the expansion of categories, every additional category, every nit and bit had a purpose and was solely to share the vision of inculcating the Holy Qur’an to one and all.
It will not be just if Syed’s passion for the Maarifah Category is not mentioned, ever since the Maarifah category was introduced, Syed Hassan would be glued to his seat whilst Maarifah took place! He would only move out of his seat if the Maarifah session was on a break. Ever year, even though he spent so much time listening to the participants, he would be fascinated at how the participants would prepare for 20 ayaat and only one or two ayaat would be quizzed on. It was pleasing to him to see the efforts put in by each participant in preparation for this category; Syed would always get excited when a participant was being questioned and would be amazed at the participant’s replies. He would always be heard saying “Maarifah sessions are mind blowing”.
Syed Hassan was a person who loved his community dearly and served whole heartedly. He was the one who had a radiating smile, for whom a problem was never a big deal, but rather a platform to brainstorm and look for solutions. A humble person, always ready with words of wisdom. A true leader who knew how to serve the people and was always ready to assist in whatever ways and means that was required of him.
Due to Covid-19 restrictions and the Coronavirus pandemic, which has engulfed the World since early 2020, the Qur’an Competition has not been held in 2020 and 2021. We pray for the end of this pandemic and for the safety and wellbeing of all our community members, Ameen.
Photographs from the Quran Competition held in Mombasa in 2019 (QC 15)
Photographs from the Quran Competition held in Nairobi in 2018 (QC 14)
Photographs from the Quran Competition held in Arusha in 2017 (QC 13)
Photographs from the Quran Competition held in Dar-es-Salaam in 2016 (QC 12)
Photographs from the Quran Competition held in Mwanza in 2015 (QC 11)
Extract from the Memorial Message by AFED Vice Chairman remembering Syed Hassan Naqvi.
“Syed Hassan and I travelled together to many Jamaats worldwide where he would spend his countless hours in discussions with the leadership of the Jamaats, Tabligh Boards, Heads of Madrasahs and students providing guidance and support and trying to understand how Africa Federation could better serve the Tabligh needs of the institutions. He had great love for Allah (SWT) and the teachings of the Ahlulbayt (A.S.) and was very focused and conscientious on inculcating the spirit of learning with proper understanding of the Holy Qur’an starting from Madrassahs.”
Alhaj Aunali Khalfan
Syed Hassan submitted to the Will of Allah (SWT) and bid farewell to this transient world for a permanent abode on Friday 12th February 2021 (29th Jamadi-ul- Akhar 1442 A.H.) In this month of Muharram 1443 AH we remember Marhum Syed Hassan Naqvi for his immense zeal and efforts towards AFTAB activities, and more particularly towards the Madressahs and the Holy Qur’an. Let us remember him with Sura-e-Fateha and pray to Allah (SWT) to grant him maghferat and a lofty station in the proximity of our 14 infallibles (Chaharda Masumeen Alayhi Salaam).
Secretariat
Africa Federation Tabligh Board
24th August 2021 (15th Muharram 1443)