Int’l Quran Competitions; Contestants from Non-Muslim Countries Should Also Be Invited
Organizers of international Quran competitions should invite contestants from all over the world not just from Muslim countries.
This is according to Congolese Quran and Hadith scholar Ali Parfa Maka, who also told IQNA that there may be qualified Quran activists in non-Muslim countries.
“If we realize the importance and the lofty status of the Book of God in life and in society, we can see the important role of the international Quran competitions,” he said.
The Al-Mustafa International University graduate said international Quran contests show the status of the Word of God to Muslims and non-Muslims.
He said that the Holy Quran is not only for Muslims but for all humanity and that international Quran competitions could attract non-Muslims to the Quran, too.
“Hence, it should be on agenda at international Quran competitions to invite non-Muslims to come and listen to the Quran. Even if they do not realize the meaning of the verses, the beauty of the recitation will attract their hearts.”
Turning to selection of contestants, Mr. Maka said there should be preliminarily contests in each country among Quran memorizers and reciters from all age groups to choose the best ones for the international contest.
“As for the jurors of international Quran competitions, they should be selected from among Quran scholars and experts in Quranic sciences from different countries and different continents. Those who are to serve as jury members ought to have the experience of attending such events as a contestant as well.”
Asked about the timing of international Quran competitions, he the Congolese scholar said the months of January, July and August on the Gregorian Calendar are the best months for holding international contests because these are times when people in most countries have a lot of spare time.
He also regarded participation of women in Quran competitions as important, stressing that the Holy Quran belongs to everyone, regardless of their status or gender.
Mr. Maka noted that participation of women in international Quran competitions will encourage other women to learn the Holy Quran.
Elsewhere in his remarks, the Quran and Hadith scholar underlined that more categories, such as interpretation, should be added to international Quran contests, noting that these events should not be limited to recitation and memorization of the Quran.
Mr. Maka also compared several international Quran competitions in the world, saying that the one held in Malaysia is well-organized, the one in Egypt is a venue for top Quran reciters, the one in Sudan is very well received and that in Iran’s international Quran competition, there is good distinction between the competition categories.
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“If we realize the importance and the lofty status of the Book of God in life and in society, we can see the important role of the international Quran competitions,” he said.
The Al-Mustafa International University graduate said international Quran contests show the status of the Word of God to Muslims and non-Muslims.
He said that the Holy Quran is not only for Muslims but for all humanity and that international Quran competitions could attract non-Muslims to the Quran, too.
“Hence, it should be on agenda at international Quran competitions to invite non-Muslims to come and listen to the Quran. Even if they do not realize the meaning of the verses, the beauty of the recitation will attract their hearts.”
Turning to selection of contestants, Mr. Maka said there should be preliminarily contests in each country among Quran memorizers and reciters from all age groups to choose the best ones for the international contest.
“As for the jurors of international Quran competitions, they should be selected from among Quran scholars and experts in Quranic sciences from different countries and different continents. Those who are to serve as jury members ought to have the experience of attending such events as a contestant as well.”
Asked about the timing of international Quran competitions, he the Congolese scholar said the months of January, July and August on the Gregorian Calendar are the best months for holding international contests because these are times when people in most countries have a lot of spare time.
He also regarded participation of women in Quran competitions as important, stressing that the Holy Quran belongs to everyone, regardless of their status or gender.
Mr. Maka noted that participation of women in international Quran competitions will encourage other women to learn the Holy Quran.
Elsewhere in his remarks, the Quran and Hadith scholar underlined that more categories, such as interpretation, should be added to international Quran contests, noting that these events should not be limited to recitation and memorization of the Quran.
Mr. Maka also compared several international Quran competitions in the world, saying that the one held in Malaysia is well-organized, the one in Egypt is a venue for top Quran reciters, the one in Sudan is very well received and that in Iran’s international Quran competition, there is good distinction between the competition categories.
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