RIYADH: Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdul Aziz Al-Asheikh has urged the Saudi youth to participate in the King Abdulaziz International Competition for Qur’an Recitation.

“Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman supports it because it has a positive impact on the Muslim youth,” said Al-Asheikh, who is also the president of the Council of Senior Scholars.

He said the Holy Qur’an is a “beacon to every Muslim in all aspects of life, doctrine, morality and in the conduct of Shariah.” Qur’an recitation calls for action, its implementation and application of the orders and prohibitions, he said.

The grand mufti said the book of Allah is the elixir of happiness and the road to civilization. “The Holy Qur’an is a platform of governance, worship, doctrine and arbitration in all spheres of life,” he added.

Meanwhile, Shoura Council head Abdullah Al-Asheikh hailed the establishment of the Holy Qur’an competition.

He said that the Holy Qur’an was read and interpreted during the Shoura Council’s 37th session, and that the competition highlights the way the Kingdom’s leadership takes care of the book of Allah.

He stressed the importance of being driven to read the Holy Qur’an and learning to memorize it since this will stimulate participation in competitions.

“Competitions stimulate interest in the Holy Qur’an and eventually ramp up the number of participants,” he said.

He said that such participations will eventually engender positive effects on ethics and the behavior of the youth.