Dubai International Quran Award to Witness Its First Classical Poetry Contest
The event will take place at the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Ramadan 1-20.
However, more full Quran memorisers from around
the world and foreign communities are expected to take part in the 13-branch
competition this year, according to Ibrahim Bu Melha, Head of Dihqa Organising
Committee.
"The 20-year-old global Award, generously founded
and sponsored by Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum,
Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, is gaining
popularity year after year.”
Bu Melha, who is also an Adviser to the Ruler of
Dubai for Cultural and Humanitarian Affairs, said the organising committee is
all set to mark the special 20th edition of the award which was first launched
in 1996.
"The award is to see a new contest on classical
poetry for the first time this year, but winners will be announced and honoured
later during the concluding ceremony to be held at the cultural and scientific
association on Ramadan 20th.”
Prof Mohammed Abdulrahim Sultan-al-Ulama, Head of
the Competition Unit, said they have decided on all the Contest Quran questions,
as well as the names of the members of the arbitration committee, and UAE main
and alternative candidates. "The examination system shall remain unchanged,
though.”
All contestants need to clear the initial tests,
following which they have to sit the final examinations twice; first in the
afternoon at their accommodation and later at night after the Taraweeh Prayers
at the Dubai Chamber stage, he added.
"Introducing Quran text in the software of the
electronic arbitration system has pretty much helped the competent arbitrators
to closely and easily follow the contestants’ performance without referring to
the printed copy of the Quran.”
Abdulrahim Hussain Ahli, Head of the Financial and
Administrative Unit, said the organising committee has made all preparations to
receive the competitors, scholars, and members of the arbitration committee.
"All visas and ID cards have been prepared as well.”
Saleh Ali, Head of lectures and forums unit, said
the cultural programme of the award is to see an elite group of renowned
scholars from Arab and Islamic countries, who will give lectures in Arabic,
English, Malayalam, Bengali and Tamil.
"These include Sheikh Saleh Al Maghamsi, Sheikh
Sulaiman Al Jubailan, Dr Saeed Bin Misfer, Sheikh Talal Fakher, Dr Omar Abdelkafy,
and Sheikh Saeed Bin Ateeq who will be lecturing at the Dubai Chamber and
Indian School in Dubai.”
Ahmed Al Zahid, Head of Dihqa the Media Unit, said
11 sponsors have thus far affirmed their sponsorship of the Award nights, but
"more private and semi-government entities are expected to co-support the Award
activities.”
Khalid Al Marzouqi, Deputy Head of the Public
Relations Unit, said they are ready to receive and accommodate the high profile
guests, lectures, and contestants. "Competitors will be accommodated at the
Flora Hotel as usual.”
Source: Gtoday
