Ugandan teen finishes 3rd at international Qur’an competition

By Issa Kigongo

A 13-year-old Ugandan reciter, Abdu-Rahman Yasser, emerged first runner-up at an international Holy Qur’an memorisation competition held at the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, drawing thousands of spectators and competitors from several countries.

The annual contest, organised by the Al-Hikma Foundation, took place on Sunday, March 1, and brought together young Qur’an reciters who showcased their memorisation and recitation skills before a panel of international judges.

Among the adjudicators was Dr. Sheikh Hafiz Muhammad Harunah Bukenya, Uganda’s 2nd Deputy Mufti, who joined other scholars in assessing the contestants’ recitation, accuracy and mastery of the Qur’an.

The event attracted a large crowd of Muslim faithful who filled the stadium to listen to the competitors’ melodious recitations. Participants represented several countries, highlighting the competition’s growing international profile.

At the end of the contest, Uganda’s Abdu-Rahman Yasser, 13, Uganda emerged first runner-up while Muhammad Mustafa, 20, Canada came third

All participants received gifts in recognition of their efforts in memorising and reciting the Holy Qur’an.

The competition was attended by several dignitaries, including Zanzibar President Dr. Hussein Ali Mwinyi, Tanzania’s Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa, and the Grand Mufti of Tanzania Dr. Sheikh Abubakar Zubair Ali.