The Ghana branch of the Mohammed VI Foundation for African Oulema on Thursday organized its 4th edition of the Qur'an recitation competition aimed at nurturing in African Muslim youth the urge to learn the book of Allah as a guide to shaping their lives on earth to gain salvation in the hereafter.
The competition was into three categories which included memorization of full Qur'an in the conventional Hafs style of recitation, memorizing of full Qur'an in the Warash style of recitation
Others included the traditional Moroccan style proficiency in memorizing five thematic parts of the Qur'an known as Ahzaab - in a variety of styles of recitation.
Held in Accra, thecompetition attracted 70 competitors drawn from various parts of the country aged between 15 to 40 years.
Mukaffa Abdul-Aziz, Mahmud Muhammad Mahmud, Emran Edris placed first, second and third respectively in the full Qu'ran and other Riwaya category
In the Warsh category, Muhammad Thani Muhammad emerged first and Muhammad Awal Yakub and Issah Sibaway came second and third.
Shaban Abdul-Rahman emerged tops in the five Hizb category, beating Hibatu Saalah to the second position and Aishatu Salmah emerged third.
The winner of first position in each of the three categories will represent Ghana for the Africa-wide grand finale which to take place in the month of Ramadan in a virtual format through zoom platform to be coordinated from Morocco.
Addressing participants at the event, the President of the Ghana branch of the foundation,. Sheikh Mustapha Ibrahim said that the foundation was aimed at bringing all Africa scholars under one umbrella to promote peace and straighten Islamic religion.
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He added that the Ghana branch of the foundation would be engaging its leadership to outline other activities that were beneficial to the Muslim community for it to support.
Sheikh Ibrahim disclosed that the Moroccan Embassy through the King of Morocco, His Majesty Sadis Mohammed VI had been granting 100 scholarships annually in various field of studies including Engineering, Medicine, Pharmacist, to mention but a few, for Ghanaians.
He said the Ghana branch of the foundation was negotiating with the leadership in Morocco to give some percentage to Muslims, adding that "if the request is granted the Ghana branch of the foundation will focus on only students who have memorize the Holy Qur'an."
The Moroccan Ambassador to Ghana, Mrs. Imaane Ouaadil who was the special guest of honour reiterated that the some activities would be included to benefit many people.
She congratulated the contestants and expressed her satisfaction with the conduct of the competition.
Mrs. Imaane Ouaadil commended the organizers of the event and the contestants for the keen competition and prayed for Allah's abundance of rewards for their dedication and hard work.
