Kosovans Vie for Best Quran Recitation
--Racing to preserve their Islamic identity in a globalized world, Kosovans are organizing a nationwide competition for the best recitation of the Noble Quran.
"The contest aims to confront western activities that target Kosovo's Islamic identity," Eleir Gashy of the organizing committee of the "Quran Fest" competition, told IslamOnline.net.
Thirteen contenders are vying for the best recitation of Quran.
They have reached the final stage after a tough competition held on October 4-23.
The winner will be chosen on Sunday, October 28, and will be awarded with a trip to Saudi Arabia for hajj.
The second and third winners will be awarded 100 and 50 euros.
Males over 15 are vying in this year's contest. Females and children will vie in the contest as of next year.
The contest is being organized by a galaxy of young Kosovan preachers and Quran reciters in the southeastern city of Prizern.
The organizing committee has launched a website for the contest in addition to distributing posters in most Kosovo's town.
The contest has also been propagated by a local television channel as well as through Albanian Islamic websites.
Gashy said it was also thanks to Prizern residents that this contest proved successful as they donated generously to fund the event.
"Prizern is Kosovo's spiritual capital," he said. "The city has been the culture and trade center for the Albanian people through ages."
Faton Petechi, one of the contest's five-member jury, said the contest is meant to encourage Kosovans to recite Quran properly and accurately.
"Our goal is the accurate recitation while preserving the tajwid (the recitation in accordance with established rules of pronunciation and intonation)," he said.
"All contenders are allowed to read from Noble Book".
Gashy said the eight competitors have e-mailed recorded recitations to the organizing committee.
Organizers are now planning to hold similar contest across the region.
"This year, the contest is being held in Kosovo and will be organized across the Balkans next year," said Petechi.
"We aspire for turning the competition into an international contest by 2009."
Only two Quran contests were organized in Kosovo in recent years.
There is only one school in Kosovo for Quranic studies.
Islam is the official religion of UN-administered Kosovo, which is seeking independence from Serbia.
Source:IOL
Thirteen contenders are vying for the best recitation of Quran.
They have reached the final stage after a tough competition held on October 4-23.
The winner will be chosen on Sunday, October 28, and will be awarded with a trip to Saudi Arabia for hajj.
The second and third winners will be awarded 100 and 50 euros.
Males over 15 are vying in this year's contest. Females and children will vie in the contest as of next year.
The contest is being organized by a galaxy of young Kosovan preachers and Quran reciters in the southeastern city of Prizern.
The organizing committee has launched a website for the contest in addition to distributing posters in most Kosovo's town.
The contest has also been propagated by a local television channel as well as through Albanian Islamic websites.
Gashy said it was also thanks to Prizern residents that this contest proved successful as they donated generously to fund the event.
"Prizern is Kosovo's spiritual capital," he said. "The city has been the culture and trade center for the Albanian people through ages."
Faton Petechi, one of the contest's five-member jury, said the contest is meant to encourage Kosovans to recite Quran properly and accurately.
"Our goal is the accurate recitation while preserving the tajwid (the recitation in accordance with established rules of pronunciation and intonation)," he said.
"All contenders are allowed to read from Noble Book".
Gashy said the eight competitors have e-mailed recorded recitations to the organizing committee.
Organizers are now planning to hold similar contest across the region.
"This year, the contest is being held in Kosovo and will be organized across the Balkans next year," said Petechi.
"We aspire for turning the competition into an international contest by 2009."
Only two Quran contests were organized in Kosovo in recent years.
There is only one school in Kosovo for Quranic studies.
Islam is the official religion of UN-administered Kosovo, which is seeking independence from Serbia.
Source:IOL
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