Dar-us-Salaam Hifz School Graduate Wins Big at International Qur'an Competition

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hamzaDar-us-Salaam Hifzh School Graduate Hamzah Elhabashy from Maryland placed second in the world. He was representing the United States at the 19th Dubai International Quran Competition. The 20-day competition was held at the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the United Arab Emirates and attracted contestants from all over the world.

The Dubai International Quran Competition is considered one of the most competitive and prestigious Quran competitions in the world. The First, Second and Third place winners are granted over $163,000 in combined prize money. It starts on the first of Ramadan and concludes with an awards ceremony on the 20th of the holy month.

Hamzah competed on the first night of the memorizationcontest. The seven competitors reciting the Quran with him included Abdul Rahman Majeed Yaseen Al-Habeeb - Iraq, Abdoulazez Ahmad A Ghani - Qatar, Niyitunga Zaidi - Burundi, Soibahoudine Ahamada - Union Des Comores, Mohammed Fathie Abdulhalem Ja’afar - Philippines, and Simadeddine Hazyoun – The Netherlands.

Saudi Arabia’s Faisal Mohammad Al Harthi was declared the overall first place winner of the 19th Dubai International Holy Quran Award.

Hamzah competed nationally at a Quran competition in Chicago in order to win a chance to represent the United States at the 19th Dubai International Quran Competition.  His teachers and community were following his progress eagerly from the United States, asking for duas from the American Muslim community.

“I used to memorize one to 1.5 pages every day, and it was so easy for me to learn the Quran.” He says that memorizing the Quran has helped him in his secular studies as well  “Studying has become easier with the Quran,” he said to Emirates Today, adding that his parents used to support and encourage him.

The contest was established in order to encourage young Muslims to memorize and understand the Holy Quran, and to spread the Quranic values of peace and love. Ibrahim Bu Melha, who is the Adviser to the Ruler of Dubai for Cultural and Humanitarian Affairs and the organizer of the event, told the Khaleej Times that competition has launched a new branch for female Quran memorizers in pursuance of the directives of Shaikh Mohammed, the ruler of Dubai.

“We would like to to congratulate Hamzah his parents, teachers and the community on this great news! MashAllah,” said principal Haroon Baqai of Dar us Salaam Hifzh School in a circular to the community.

We will have an in depth interview with Hamzah in the next issue of the Muslim Link.

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