RIYADH, 12 April 2007 — The fourth Prince Sultan International Qur’an Memorization Competition for Military Officers was inaugurated yesterday by Chief of Staff Gen. Saleh Ali Al-Mohaya on behalf of Prince Khaled ibn Sultan, assistant minister of defense and aviation.
As many as 100 contestants from 21 countries are participating in the 11-day competition.
Bosnia, Indonesia and Albania are taking part in the competition for the first time. Other participants include Jordan, Iran, Pakistan, Bahrain, Brunei, Bangladesh, Chad, Senegal, Sudan, Oman, Kuwait, Libya, Malaysia, Egypt, Morocco, Niger, Yemen and Saudi Arabia.
Speaking on behalf of Prince Khaled ibn Sultan, Gen. Al-Mohaya said that it was a great opportunity to jointly implement the saying of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) that “The best among you are those who learn the Qur’an and follow it in spirit and deeds.”
In his opening speech, Abdullah ibn Saleh Al-Asheikh, director of religious affairs at the armed forces and supervisor of the competition, said that the Kingdom is honored with an opportunity to serve the Holy Qur’an.
“This competition underlines that special care,” he added.
He also urged the Muslim world to return to the teachings of the Qur’an. “The unrest, turmoil and disorder we are witnessing in this world has no solution if we don’t return to the Qur’an by heart and deed,” Al-Sheikh said.
He added, “Allah says in the Qur’an: ‘This is the Book (the Qur’an), whereof there is no doubt, a guidance to those who fear Allah’.”
Brig. Muhammad Abdurahman Al-Sa’dan, director of Religious Affairs of the Saudi Ground Forces, described the competition as a unique one.
He added that the award aims to enhance the role of the Kingdom in serving the Holy Qur’an, and encourage armies all over the Islamic world to care of the Book of Almighty Allah.
The Bosnian participants expressed their gratitude and thanks to the Saudi government for inviting them.
Gen. Soag Rogo, head of the Bosnian group, said that his country was now recovering from the ethnic cleansing that took place in the 1990s.
Lt. Col. Abduraham from Brunei, who was participating in the competition for the third time, said the Qur’an is something that can unite Muslims from all over the world.
Cash prizes worth around SR700,000 will be handed to the winners in various categories as follows: Branch (1): Memorizing the whole Holy Qur’an. First Prize: SR60,000, Second Prize: SR55,000, Third Prize: SR50,000, Fourth Prize: SR45,000, Fifth Prize: SR40,000.
Branch (2): Memorizing 20 chapters, First Prize: SR40,000, Second Prize: SR38,000, Third Prize: SR35,000, Fourth Prize: SR33,000, Fifth Prize: SR30,000. Branch (3): Memorizing 10 Chapters, First Prize: SR30,000, Second Prize: SR28,000, Third Prize: SR25,000, Fourth Prize: SR23,000, Fifth Prize: SR20,000.
Branch (3): Memorizing 5 Chapters, First Prize: SR20,000, Second Prize: SR19,000, Third Prize: SR18,000, Fourth Prize: SR17,000, Fifth Prize: SR16,000.
