The thirteenth nationwide round of the Holy Qur’an memorization with tajwīd and the first round of beautiful recitation competitions, organized by the Ministry of MOHIA, concluded with the announcement and honoring of outstanding memorizers and reciters
Tuesday, 16 Rajab al-Murajjab 1447 AH, corresponding to 16 Jadi 1404 SH
The Ministry of MOHIA organized and conducted nationwide competitions of Qur’an memorization with tajwīd and beautiful recitation (ḥusn al-qirā’ah) with the aim of identifying, recognizing, and formally certifying outstanding memorizers and skilled reciters from across the country, and introducing them to international competitions. Yesterday, the results of these competitions were announced during a magnificent and dignified ceremony attended by the Honorable Minister of the Ministry, Sheikh al-Hadith, Dr. Mawlawi Noor Mohammad Saqib; the deputy ministers; central directors; officials from several other institutions; respected sheikhs from various universities and madrasas; scholars; and the parents and guardians of the competing memorizers and reciters.
During his scholarly address to the participants, the Honorable Minister stated that today’s gathering was organized by the Ministry of MOHIA as part of its service to the Glorious Qur’an. He noted that previously, under the supervision of this Ministry, twelve rounds of Qur’an memorization and tajwīd competitions had already been held. He added that the current series—the thirteenth round of Qur’an memorization with tajwīd and the first round of ḥusn al-qirā’ah—began in the provinces, followed by competitions among the memorizers and reciters of the twenty-two (22) districts of Kabul city, and over the past three days, competitions were held at the center among memorizers and reciters from all provinces and districts. He said that now, he and the audience were witnessing the announcement of the final results.
Referring to the high level of talent among the country’s memorizers and reciters, the Honorable Minister added that, praise be to Allah, Afghanistan possesses strong talents and highly capable memorizers and reciters who have achieved distinguished ranks in international competitions.
The Honorable Minister also emphasized the Islamic Emirate’s full commitment to organizing both the religious and worldly affairs of the people. He stated that the Islamic Emirate seeks to serve the Holy Qur’an and the Sharia, and that alongside material development, the country should also prosper through the implementation and practice of Islamic rulings. He assured the entire nation that all necessary arrangements are underway for serving Islam and developing the homeland, and that the Emirate is attentive to both aspects of development.
In this context, the Honorable Minister pointed out that the Ministry of MOHIA is simultaneously carrying out three major services related to the Holy Qur’an:
- Qur’an memorization and tajwīd,
- Translation and tafsīr (exegesis),
- Respect and veneration of the Qur’an.
The first service is carried out by the Ministry’s Directorate of Qāri Affairs, which organizes and supports the affairs of memorizers and reciters across the country and develops their talents through organizing competitions.
The second service, conducted under the Ministry’s supervision, is that since the victory of the Islamic Emirate, every year during the months of Sha‘bān al-Mu‘aẓẓam and Ramaḍān al-Mubārak, hundreds of Qur’an translation and tafsīr sessions are held in hundreds of locations across the capital and all provinces, delivered by distinguished scholars and respected sheikhs to hundreds of thousands of people. These programs are also broadcast nationwide in both Pashto and Dari via National Radio and Television. This year as well, the Ministry has made arrangements in hundreds of locations across the country to continue this series.
The third service to the Holy Qur’an—respect and veneration—is also carried out under the supervision and stewardship of the Ministry. This includes establishing special sites in mountainous areas across all thirty-four (34) provinces for the preservation of old copies of the Qur’an, individual parts (paras), religious books, and other sacred papers. This process has been completed in some provinces and is ongoing in others. Once completed, old sacred materials from all provinces will be collected and safely preserved at these designated locations.
During the ceremony, the Deputy for Coordination of ‘Irfān and Religious Sites Affairs of the Ministry, the Honorable Sheikh Aziz-ur-Rahman Mansoor, along with several other respected sheikhs, delivered scholarly speeches on various topics related to the Holy Qur’an.
After that, the winners of the Qur’an memorization with tajwīd competition were announced as follows:
- Honorable Hafiz Hamid-ul-Haq, son of Abdul Ghafoor, resident of Kabul Province — First Place
- Honorable Hafiz Syed Mir Agha, son of Mir Abbas, resident of Kabul Province — Second Place
- Honorable Hafiz Sadiq-ullah, son of Mohammad Hashim, resident of Paktia Province — Third Place
Similarly, in the ḥusn al-qirā’ah (beautiful recitation) category:
- Honorable Qari Sajad, son of Nusratullah, resident of Ghazni Province — First Place
- Honorable Qari Ahmadullah, son of Sardar, resident of Kunduz Province — Second Place
- Honorable Qari Abdul Bari, son of Abdul Zahir, resident of Kabul Province — Third Place
Certificates of appreciation, cash prizes, and gifts were distributed to these winners and other outstanding memorizers and reciters by the Honorable Minister, as well as by the Ministry’s Administrative and Financial Deputy, Honorable Mawlawi Arifullah Arif; the Professional Deputy, Honorable Mawlawi Mohammad Hamid Hasib; the Deputy for Coordination of ‘Irfān and Religious Sites Affairs, Honorable Sheikh Aziz-ur-Rahman Mansoor; and several other respected sheikhs
