KUWAIT: The thirteenth edition of the Kuwait International Award for Memorizing the Holy Quran and its Reading and Recitation ended Wednesday after a week of competition featuring participants from around the world. Mohammad Al-Wasmi, Minister of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs, said the competition is a “shining milestone” in Kuwait’s ongoing efforts to preserve the Holy Quran. “Under the esteemed patronage of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the award has strengthened Kuwait’s position as a global beacon for Quranic knowledge,” he said during the competition’s closing ceremony Wednesday.

Wasmi said the award reflects Kuwait’s commitment to instilling Islamic values and fostering unity among the Muslim ummah through competition in memorizing, understanding, and applying the Quran. He highlighted that the award has brought together a distinguished group of Quranic scholars from around the world, creating a spiritual phenomenon that embodies the unity of Muslims around Islam’s holy book.

Wasmi also noted efforts to enhance the award each year, utilizing modern technology and increasing cooperation with supporting organizations to ensure greater excellence and wider reach. The minister expressed his sincere gratitude to the scholars who participated in this year’s edition by conducting scientific workshops and specialized lectures, enriching the event and adding an important educational and cultural dimension.

KUWAIT: Winners of the thirteenth edition of the Kuwait International Award for Memorizing the Holy Quran and its Reading and Recitation pose for a photo with officials. — KUNA photos

Officials, guests and participants from across the world are present at the competition's closing ceremony.

Winners announced

In the recitation and tajweed category, the first place was awarded to Firdaus Syamsuri from Indonesia, followed by Mohammad bin Mahmour from Malaysia in second place, Md Abu Dhar Al-Ghafari from Bangladesh in third, Habib Sedaghat from Iran in fourth and Fawzi Hama from Thailand in fifth.

In the full Quran memorization category, the first place went to Kaibto Abdul-Kareem from Uganda, followed by Shuaib Shafie from Somalia in second, Mohammed Al-Omari in third, Abdullah Al-Enezi from Kuwait in fourth and Mohammad Abdul-Halim from Egypt in fifth.

In the category for young memorizers, Anas Mahfouz from Bangladesh won first place, followed by Yusuf Ali from the United States in second, Mohammad Tabbakh from Algeria in third, Adam Rajab from Palestine in fourth and Mohammad Nazad from Iran in fifth. In the category for the Ten Qiraat (recitations), the first place was awarded to Mohammad Al-Ali from Kuwait, followed by Abdulaziz Abdullah from Ethiopia in second, Abdulhamid Al-Qaryou from Libya in third, Basim Al-Nasyan from Saudi Arabia in fourth and Abdullah Bashir Abdul from the United States in fifth. — KUNA