DUBAI, 21 October 2005 — The Imam of the Grand Mosque in Makkah, Dr. Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais, has been chosen the Dubai International Holy Qur’an Award’s (DIHQA) 9th Islamic Personality of the year 2005.
Dr. Saeed Hareb, the vice chairman of the DIHQA Organizing Committee, made the announcement on Wednesday. “Dr. Al-Sudais has been selected for his devotion to the Qur’an and Islam,” he said.
“His remarkable and ear-catching intonation of the Qur’an during the Haj season and during the Taraweeh in the holy mosque has made him very famous and beloved among the Muslim community,” said Dr. Hareb.
Dr. Al-Sudais reflects a bright picture of Islam and Muslims, he said. “He became a recognized personality among the Muslim community through his Qur’an recitation and working as a specialized professor in Fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence),” said Dr. Hareb. Al-Sudais will be honored during the DIHQA’s closing ceremony on Ramadan 20 (Oct. 23).
DIHQA’s Organizing Committee chooses the Islamic personality of the year. The selection is carried out through nomination by states, universities and specialized institutions.
Toward the end of the press conference Dr. Hareb said, “Dr. Al Sudais was selected during the normal proceedings of DIHQA, however, he was too polite to accept it.
“First, he told us that he couldn’t accept the award because there are other scholars who deserve it more than he does. He still considers himself a student. This was the reason for the late announcement of the award,” he said.
