Dubai Culture: DIHQA promotes knowledge & tolerance
41 contestants sit DIHQA final tests
Dubai – UAE, Sunday 27, 2018: Up to 41 out of 104 contestants have so far sat the final tests of the 22nd edition – Zayed Edition – of the Dubai International Holy Quran Award – Ramadan 01-20, at the Dubai Chamber.
Eight contestants sat the final tests on the fifth night of the global competition at the Dubai Chamber. Those included Ahmed K.N. Dwikat, Palestine, Abdulbaari Oloruntosin Salami, Ireland, Abdullatif Abdulmajeed Abdullatif Bastaki, Bahrain, Tapsoba Issahaka, Burkina Faso, Umar Faruque, Nepal, Amin Hussein, Sweden, Hassane Jibrilla Oumarou, Niger, and Usama Ilyas Patel, Zambia.
Eight more competitors are to appear in public on Monday night. These are Muhammad Farhaan Ghoora, Mauritius, Ahmed Herkat, Algeria, Rachid Bouyakhrichan, Germany, Roshan Ahamed Shamsuddeen Mullankandy, India, Mr. Marofee Prakobsap, Thailand, Sufyaan Mahomed, Zimbabwe, Saalih Muhammad Rahim, Guyana, and Ibrahima Keita, Guinea Conakry.
Present on the fifth day were H.E. Ibrahim Mohamed Bu Melha, Adviser to the Ruler of Dubai for Cultural and Humanitarian Affairs and Head of DIHQA Organising Committee, members of the organising committee, H.E. Henrik Landerholm, Ambassador of Sweden to the UAE, H.E. Yusuf Al Najjar, Deputy Consul General of Palestine to the UAE, and H.E. Muamar Eissa Al Mannaei, Cultural Attaché of Bahrain in the UAE.
Also present were the sponsors of the fifth day, spanning Saeed Mohammed Al Naboodah, Acting Director General of the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority, Ahmed Hanifa, Senior Wealth Manager at the National Bonds, a number of officials, media people, and a large audience from across the country.
Saeed Mohammed Al Naboodah, Acting Director General of the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority, said they were so happy to co-sponsor the award and its local and international contests.
“The 22nd edition of the Award, named the ‘Edition of Zayed’, is so special in view of the unprecedented number of contestants this year and inspiring lectures organised that promote knowledge, arts, and tolerance everywhere.”
The astounding success of the award is mainly due to the tireless effort of the organising committee and directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, he added.
Parents are key asset for full Quran memorisers
18-year-old Ahmed K.N. Dwikat of Palestine started memorising the Quran at the age of eight and finished at 13 at the Nablus Quran Centre.
“Two of my three brothers have memorised the Quran in full with the help of my father who memorises 20 parts of the Quran.”
Having shown an exceptional performance in two local competitions, Dwikat has been nominated for this award. “I study nursing and wish to complete my study in Quran sciences.”
Dwikat also runs special classes in Quran memorisation. “I am so grateful to the organising committee for their warm reception, cooperation, and perfect organisation.”
25-year-old Abdullatif Abdulmajeed Abdullatif Bastaki of Bahrain started memorising the Quran at the age of six and finished at 21 at Quran study Centres back home.
“My two brothers, two sisters, and cousin are memorising the Quran,” he said. “I have participated in the Bahrain International Holy Quran Award where I ranked second, and the Bin Fakeeh Quran Competition.”
Bastaki has also competed in other international competitions in Egypt in 2012, Algeria in 2013, and Jordan in 2016. “I am studying jurisprudence at the Sharia College in Bahrain,” he said. “I work at the department of Quran centres affairs in Bahrain.”
14-year-old Umar Faruque of Nepal said he started memorising the Quran at the age of eight and finished at 10 at Quran study centres back home.
Faruque, who studies Sharia sciences, memorised the Quran with the help of his parents. “They used to encourage me and my two brothers to memorise the Quran in full.”
Showing an exceptional performance in three local competitions in which he secured advanced ranks, he has been nominated for this award. “I am so grateful for the organising committee for their perfect organisation and warm reception.”
H.E. Ibrahim Mohamed Bu Melha, Adviser to the Ruler of Dubai for Cultural and Humanitarian Affairs and Head of DIHQA Organising Committee, later honoured the sponsors of the fifth day of the award, exchanged trophies, and presented cash and in-kind gifts to the audience present as per a raffle draw.
