Wednesday October 2, 2024
Judges from across Africa review submissions during the 5th Mohammed VI Quran Competition for African Scholars in Fes, Morocco. The competition, held from September 27 to 29, gathered participants from 48 African countries.
Mogadishu (HOL) — Somali scholar Mohamed Ibrahim Ahmed has secured second place in the "Full Quran Memorization with Different Narrations" category at the 5th edition of the Mohammed VI Quran Competition for African Scholars, held remotely from Fes, Morocco.
The event, which ran from September 27 to 29, saw participation from 48 African nations, with scholars competing via video conferencing due to ongoing logistical challenges. The competition was organized by the Mohammed VI Foundation for African Ulema.
Uganda's Abdulrahman Yasin took first place in the same category, while Shouthi Shebel bin Shabir from Mauritius finished third.
In the "Full Quran Memorization with Tarteel" category, Mauritania's Sheikh Al-Nia Abdudaim claimed first place, followed by Hassan Ali Meqdad from Nigeria and Osama Zongo from Burkina Faso.
The competition also recognized winners in the "Tajweed" category, which requires memorization of at least five Juz (parts) of the Quran. Mody Yuri Martino from Angola took top honours, with Senegal's Mohamed Al-Bashir Niang and South Africa's Abdul Fattah Ali securing second and third places, respectively.
Mohamed Ibrahim Ahmed's second-place finish not only highlights the individual excellence of Ahmed but also reflects the cultural importance of Quranic memorization within Somali society. For generations, Somalis have placed a strong emphasis on the memorization of the Quran, often starting at a young age.
The Mohammed VI Quran Competition has become a vital platform for African scholars to showcase their knowledge of the Quran and strengthen ties between African Muslim communities. By embracing digital tools like video conferencing, this year's competition has opened its doors to a wider audience, enhancing accessibility for scholars from across the continent.