Visually-impaired Omani Lights up Day One of Dubai Int’l Quran Contest
The annual competition began on Wednesday at the Dubai Chamber in Deira, with recitation of six participants. A total of 82 contestants are vying for the prestigious award that will run till 18th Ramadan, with the grand final to be held on 20th Ramadan.
Indonesian Abdurrokhim Syamsuri Jono, set the competition rolling with his soulful recitation, followed by El Fateh Mufaddal Hamoud from Sudan, GNews reported.
But it was Al Kindi from Oman, who drew applause for his error free performance, despite being specially challenged.
The competition is held in two parts, one on the stage at Dubai Chamber and another off stage, in the hotel where the contestants stay during the duration of the competition.
Every contestant is asked to recite from five different portions of the Quran, three questions are asked on stage and two off it.
The set of questions are pre-arranged and contestants pick one of the sets randomly which is handed over to the panel of judges.
Other contestants on day one were Sangare Kalid from Cote d’Ivoire whose melodious rendition also mesmerized the packed house, along with Saifullo Kholiqov from Tajikistan and Ouattara Siriki from Burkina Faso.
On Thursday night, seven more contestants performed including Faisal Mohammad Al Harthi from Saudi Arabia, Omar Al Farook from Cameroon and Ozeer Shaik Anas Ally from Mauritius, Zeyad Yousuf Ebrahim Tawalbeh from Jordan, Abboskhon Obidov from Uzbekistan, Omar Noureine Al Goni from Central Africa and Mohammad Abraar Bhana from Barbados.
On the sidelines of the contest, an Arabic and Islamic calligraphy exhibition is being held, which will henceforth be an annual feature.
The popular exhibition will host the works of elite Emirati and Arab calligraphers which are derived from the verses of the Quran and Hadiths or sayings of the Prophet (PBUH).
