Indonesian Mohammad Zaki won the title of world’s best Hafiz in the international Hifzul Quran competition, "Quran’s Noor."

Bangladesh’s top position went to Netrokona’s young Hafiz Md Irshadul. Three winners were selected internationally, while eight were awarded nationally.

The awards were handed over at International Convention City Bashundhara’s Nabaratri Hall on Saturday. Prominent Islamic scholars, teachers, mosque imams, and Hafizs were present.

The competition was powered by Bashundhara Group.

This marks the conclusion of the second edition of the country's largest Quran recitation competition.

Hafizs from 17 countries, including Bangladesh, participated. The champion received Tk 15 lakh, the first runner-up Tk 10 lakh, and the second runner-up Tk 7 lakh. Mohammad Zaki from Indonesia secured the championship, while the runners-up were Yemen’s Mohammad Balig Sayyid Abdul Ghaffar Ali and Bangladesh’s Md Irshadul Islam.

Hifzul Quran Competition set to return in December

Irshadul also won first place at the national level, surpassing 10,000 contestants from 11 zones. Second and third places went to Hafiz Md. Jihadul Islam and Hafiz Abdur Rahman Bin Nur. Others in the top eight were Hafiz Md. Jubayer Ahmed, Hafiz Md. Shahed Alam Tarif, Hafiz Mohammad Yusuf Ali, Hafiz Muhammad Affan Bin Siraj, and Hafiz Abdur Razzak Noman. The top national winner received Tk 10 lakh, the second Tk 7 lakh, and the third Tk 5 lakh. The fourth and fifth winners received Tk 2 lakh each, while the remaining winners got Tk 1 lakh each. All winners were awarded certificates and plaques, and, as in the first edition, they will also have the opportunity to perform Umrah with their parents.

Maulana Mahfuzul Haque, secretary general of Befaqul Madarisil Arabia Bangladesh and Governor of the Islamic Foundation Board of Governors attended the programme as chief guest. He emphasised the importance of Quran recitation and its impact on society.

East West Media Group’s Deputy MD Kader Gani, said "The Holy Quran is the guidance for humanity’s salvation. It is the greatest blessing from Almighty Allah. It is Allah’s mercy, guidance, light, and healing. It is the sacred words of the Supreme Lord of the universe. One of the miraculous powers of the Quran is that it is preserved in people’s hearts. Those who learn, practise, research, and preach the Quran, and build their lives according to it, become the special servants of Almighty Allah, whom the Hadith refers to as ‘Ahlullah’ or the people of Allah."

The event was presided over by Islamic Foundation Board of Governors' Governor Syed Mohammad Mosaddik Billah Madani, with distinguished Islamic scholars and dignitaries in attendance. The Quran recitation competition, which began with Sylhet zone’s auditions on November 24, was broadcast on News24 TV before Iftar during Ramadan. Participants under 16 from Turkey, Jordan, Oman, Yemen, Morocco, Indonesia, Bangladesh, and other nations took part.