Saudi woman wins first prize in International Qur’an contest

By Rizwan Khatik - Sat Jun 16, 6:48 am

Saudi Arabia’s Hasanat bint Ali Al-Harithy bagged first prize in Jordan’s Hashimiya International Holy Qur’an Competition for Women. As many as 33 contestants from 30 countries participated in the seventh edition of the contest, which concluded in Ammanon Thursday. Saudi Arabia participated for the first time in the memorization, recitation and interpretation of Qur’an competition.

The general secretariat for the Qur’an competition at the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Endowments, Call and Guidance picked Hasanat, a student of the Charity Society for the Memorization of Qur’an in Madinah, to represent the Kingdom in the competition.

Hasanat also thanked the Madinah charity society for its commendable efforts in helping young men and women learn and memorize the holy book. Ali bin Ahmad Al-Harithy, who accompanied his daughter Hasanat to Jordan, thanked Minister Al-Asheikh for his utmost keenness and sincere efforts that enabled his daughter to secure this remarkable achievement. He also commended Fahd Al-Zaid, the Saudi ambassador to Jordan, for his continuous support.

It was for the first time Saudi Arabia also took part in the judging panel of the competition. Al-Asheikh had approved sending Aziza bint Hussein Al-Yousuf, assistant professor at Taiba University in Madinah, to Jordan as a judge. Other members of the three-member judging panel included representatives of Jordan and the UAE.
The contest, organized by Jordan’s Awqaf and Islamic Affairs Ministry, aimed at encouraging women to strengthen their relation with the Qur’an and preparing them to raise generations familiar with the teachings of the holy book. There were three levels of contest — memorization of the holy book in full, 20 parts and 10 parts with interpretation and good presentation

HA/IINA