Second edition of National Quran Memorization competition comes off in Accra

The second edition of the National Quran Memorization competition has been launched with the objective of learning the dictates of the Holy Book, the Quran.

The launch of this year’s competition which falls on the sacred month of Ramadan took place concurrently across the West African nations of Ghana, Nigeria, Mali, Togo, and Niger.

The Ghana edition of the ceremony which was held at the National Mosque in Accra on Sunday, April 10, 2022, saw young memorizers of the Quran aged 20 years and below showcase their in-depth knowledge of the Holy Quran.

Before the final contest on Sunday, the young memorizers had in the past few months gone through the mill to reach the crucial stage of the competition.

There were 3 centers that were operationalized for the auditions: Tamale catered to the north and its environs, Kumasi was the center for the middle belt and Accra was the audition center for the south and coastal areas.

After a grueling and rigorous audition, 30 finalists made it to Accra for the grand finale comprising 15 young ladies and 15 young men.

For 4 days and nights, that number was further whittled down to 10 after further scrutiny of the melody, accuracy, and consistency of the recitation and strength of memory or retention of the beautiful Words of Allah by the contestants.

On Sunday, April 10, before a colorful audience of diplomats, Islamic scholars, chiefs, opinion leaders, and the rest of the world who watched live proceedings on GASKIA TV, the finalists of the competition took home the following prize tags:

1. 1st Position Male & Female Category = $5,000 educational package each + a ticket to embark on Hajj to Islam’s holiest sites in Mecca and Medina, Saudi Arabia.

2. 2nd Male and Female = $4,000 educational package each + a ticket for Hajj

3. 3rd Male and Female = $3,000 educational package each + a ticket for Hajj

4. 4th Male and Female= $2,000 educational package each.

5. 5th Male and Female= $1,000 educational package each. In sum, an amount of 30,000 USD which is approximately GH¢225,000 went to the young winners, and 6 Hajj tickets were swept by them in addition, all from the generosity of GASKIA TV.

A consolation prize of GH¢1,000 was also given to each participant who could not make it to the final five.

Sole organizers of the competition, GASKIA TV indicated, “As a brand that is meant to serve the Muslim and Hausa-speaking community, we deem the Holy Quran as Allah’s final admonition to mankind and it will spare no effort in serving the Word of Allah by making this effort an annual service to the Ummah and the Deen.”

“We have undertaken this special voluntary initiative in service to the Holy Quran in the sacred month of Ramadan.”

Meanwhile, the Muslim holy scripture was revealed to Prophet Mohammed (peace be upon him) in the month of Ramadan and there could not have been a better time to encourage the world to learn, memorize and work on the dictates of this great scripture.