Winners from Across Africa Shine in Quran Recitation Competition
Participants from various countries including Niger, Nigeria, Mali, Somalia, Mauritania, Tanzania, Mauritius, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, and Rwanda have emerged victorious in the finals of the 7th Annual Mohammed VI Foundation for African Scholars competition in Quran memorization, recitation, and Tajweed, which was announced yesterday in the city of Fes. This prestigious event highlights the dedication and skill of young Quran reciters from across the continent, showcasing their profound connection to the holy text.
Impressive Performances Across Multiple Categories
Professor Mohamed Maghraoui, the general coordinator of the competition, presented a detailed report on the event. In the first category, which involved complete memorization of the Quran with recitation following the Warsh method from Nafi, 26 contestants demonstrated exceptional proficiency. Their performances reflected a deep understanding of the rules and regulations governing Quranic recitation, underscoring the meticulous training provided by their mentors.
In the second category, which allowed for various readings and recitations, 42 participants showcased their abilities, with all but one contestant reciting using the Hafs method from Asim, while one participant opted for the Qalon method from Nafi. The level of expertise displayed by all contestants reaffirmed their strong memorization capabilities and performance skills.
The third category, focusing on Tajweed and requiring the memorization of at least five sections of the Quran, featured 46 participants. This category stood out for its diversity in age, with many young children and adolescents participating. The high standard of performances in this category emphasizes the vital role it plays in encouraging youth to engage with Quranic recitation and to nurture their innate talents.
Three winners were selected from each category, representing Niger, Nigeria, Mali, Somalia, Mauritania, Tanzania, and Mauritius. Additionally, the organizing committee awarded extra prizes to further motivate the participants, with three encouragement prizes designated for each category, along with two special awards for the youngest male and female participants. The encouragement prizes went to readers from Ivory Coast, Liberia, Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, and Rwanda.
The results of the first category were as follows: first place went to Abduallah Abubakar Ango from Niger, second place to Bashir Yunus from Nigeria, and third place to Mohamed Jalo from Mali. In the second category, Abdul Qadir Yusuf Mohammed from Somalia took first place, followed by Hamoud Lahbib Talib Boubakar from Mauritania in second, and Ismail Yusuf Hamad from Tanzania in third. The third category saw Ahmad Ahmadou Sidi Mohammed Abu Ubaidah from Mauritania securing first place, with Abdullah Bah from Mali and Yahya Ben Ali Malam Hassan from Mauritius following in second and third, respectively.
The awards for the youngest participants recognized Hassana Bago from Gambia, who is only 10 years old, and the youngest male participant, Abdul Rahman Jalo from Guinea-Bissau, aged just 7. Encouragement prizes were awarded to Diallo Selima from Ivory Coast in the first category, Abdul Aziz Mohammed Diallo from Liberia in the second, and Nirarakondo Muzdarifa from Rwanda in the third.
The evaluation of the participants' performances was conducted by a judging panel comprising scholars and specialized readers from Morocco, Senegal, Tanzania, Mauritania, Nigeria, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, the Central African Republic, Burkina Faso, and Sudan, who gathered in Fes for this purpose. A technical team from Fes, in coordination with local teams from the participating countries, ensured seamless remote participation through advanced video conferencing technology, allowing contestants to join from their respective nations.
The Mohammed VI Foundation for African Scholars aims to strengthen the ties of young African Muslims with the Quran, encouraging them to memorize, recite, and master it, while also discovering and promoting young Quranic talents across the continent. This initiative is part of the high royal interest that His Majesty King Mohammed VI has shown toward the Quran and its scholars, as he remains committed to fostering a strong connection between young people and the teachings of the holy text.
During the local eliminations held from March 29 to April 26, 2026, across its 48 branches, the foundation engaged over 1,300 contestants, resulting in 114 qualifiers for the finals, including 16 females. The local eliminations witnessed broad participation from scholars, Quran memorization centers, religious institutions, and families, all dedicated to encouraging youth engagement with the Quran.
As reported by iqna.ir.
