24-May-2015

Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain: The Ministry of Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments decided to organise the International Online Quran Recitation Contest (Global Reciter) biennially instead of yearly, in order to allow enough time to review the competition developments and to commensurate with the Quranic nature and the Sublime Royal patronage of the Contest.

Following a meeting held recently by the organising partners, the Ministry announced the launch press conference of the second version of the Contest in the beginning of September 2015, the first phase to run during the same month and the final ceremony in April 2016. The meeting was attended by Dr Fareed bin Yacoub Al Muftah, Undersecretary of Islamic Affairs at the Ministry of Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowment; Mr. Khalid bin Abdullah Al-Shomali, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs; Mr. Mohammed Ali Al Qaed, eGovernment Authority CEO, and Mr. Abdallah Khalil Buhejja, Director of PR and Marketing at Information Affairs Authority.

Furthermore, the Public Choice Award was added to select the winner with the highest votes providing that his score in Tajweed will not be less than 90%. The Contest will also be divided into two modes of recitations: Tarteel (moderate recitation) and Tadweer (fastness without merging of the letters). This will accommodate various abilities, responds to audience requests and maximise participations.

The Islamic Affairs Undersecretary expressed his gratitude to the organising partners, praising their keen cooperation and efforts to highlight Bahrain’s efforts in serving the Holy Quran pursuant to the directives of the wise leadership. He added that the wise leadership saves no efforts to follow up the Quranic affairs, extends continuous supports to the Ministry of Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments to develop Quran institutions and their great mission.

The meeting was also attended by Quran Affairs Director Shaikh Abdulla bin Qahtan Al-Omari, Head of Quran Competitions at the Ministry Shaikh Ahmed Saleh Bu-Shalaf, and from the eGovernment Authority (eGA) Director of eService & Channel Enhancement, Mr. Ahmed Bu Hazza, and Chief Service Delivery Mr. Ahmed Mohamed Shishani.

It is worth mentioning that the Global Reciter Contest is held under the patronage of His Royal Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa as the first-of-its-kind worldwide. The Ministry, represented by the Quran Affairs Directorate, takes the responsibility of preparation, implementation, follow-up and evaluation of the competition.