Fourth edition of the Quran Competition for students of Yemeni universities and colleges

The fourth annual Quran Competition, aimed at students from public and private universities and colleges, began yesterday in Sanaa, in conjunction with the commemorations of the Battle of Badr.

Organized by the Higher Education Sector in partnership with the September 21 University for Medical and Applied Sciences, this five-day competition aims to encourage students to memorize, recite and meditate on the verses of the Holy Quran, and to put its teachings into practice. 125 students, men and women, from 26 universities and colleges in the capital and other governorates, are participating.

During the opening ceremony, Deputy Minister of Education and Scientific Research, Dr. Hatem Al-Du’ais, praised the University of September 21 for its support and organization of the competition for the second consecutive year. He stressed that the competition contributes to strengthening Koranic culture, religious education and moral values ​​among students.

He stressed the importance of giving priority to the Holy Quran competition and offering students the opportunity to participate in competitions in memorization, recitation and application of the Holy Quran. He noted that this competition is an objective that deserves the full support and encouragement of all, especially educational institutions, as it contributes to religious education anchored in Quranic culture and instills in students a love of the Holy Quran.

Dr Al-Du’ais invited the higher education sector to study the proposal of the Grand Mufti of Yemen regarding the possibility of integrating Quranic studies into school curricula. He stressed that the various student activities require increased support, special attention and emphasis on memorizing the Holy Quran, reflecting on its meaning and studying its sciences.

For his part, the President of the September 21 University, Dr. Mujahid Ma’sar, reaffirmed the university’s commitment to hosting the Holy Quran competition for the second consecutive year. It considers it to be the most important and rewarding competition for memorization, recitation and meditation of the Holy Quran, as well as for the development of language, reading skills and academic excellence of students.

He stressed the importance of studying the Holy Quran, as it constitutes a constitution for life and a path towards the salvation of humanity here and in the Hereafter. He explained that turning away from the Holy Quran and its teachings has led the nation to its current shameful, humiliating and submissive state, both on the Arab and Islamic levels.

Dr. Ma’sar praised the role of the leaders of the ministry, the directors of the activities of the higher education sector and universities, the organizing and working committees of the competition, as well as the staff of the University of September 21, for their efforts in the preparation, organization and success of the fourth edition of the Holy Quran competition.

For his part, the university’s vice president for student affairs, Dr. Jamil Majali, highlighted the importance of the memorization and recitation of the Holy Quran competition to consolidate religious identity, perfect behavior and character, and form virtuous individuals in words and deeds.

At the same time, Abdul Karim Al-Dahhak, director of activities in the higher education sector, presented the objectives and stages of the competition, which takes place over five days. One hundred and twenty-five students, men and women, from 26 public and private universities and university institutes of technology, compete for first prizes in the following categories: recitation of the entire Quran, 20 suras, 10 suras and 5 suras.

He explained that the winners will receive cash prizes, trophies and certificates of recognition. He also indicated that the sector had been able to implement approximately 90% of its student activity plan for the current year (1447 AH), in the scientific, cultural and sports fields.

At the same time, the five-part competition, open to students, began. A jury, chaired by Sheikh Ahmed Al-Nuwaira and Sheikh Hilal Al-Kulaibi for the students, and by Khuloud Al-Abi and Samah Al-Dhari for the students, supervised the event.

The opening ceremony, in the presence of the Executive Director of the Information Technology Center, Dr. Fouad Abdul-Razzaq, the vice-presidents of the university, Drs. Mutie Abu Areej and Salim Al-Rayashi, several presidents and representatives of universities and of higher education establishments, directors of university activities and deans of the faculties of the University of September 21, was marked by the recitation of a poem by Dr. Hussein Hanash entitled “Until when, Best of Nations ? HAS”