Kathmandu, December 24, 2024 — The Undersecretary of the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah, and Guidance for Islamic Affairs, Awad Al-Anzi, honored the winners of the Second Holy Quran Memorization Competition in Kathmandu, Nepal. The event, which attracted over 750 contestants, including both boys and girls, took place under the supervision of the Saudi Embassy in Nepal and in collaboration with the Muslim Commission of Nepal, a government-affiliated body. The competition featured participants vying for top honors in four categories, demonstrating their proficiency in Quran memorization and recitation.
A prestigious ceremony was held to recognize the winners, with the presence of prominent dignitaries including Saudi Ambassador to Nepal, Saad Nasser Abu Haimed, and Nepalese House of Representatives Speaker, Dev Raj Ghimire. In addition to the top leaders, the event was attended by several heads of Islamic associations and centers, as well as numerous ambassadors, diplomatic mission members, Nepalese parliamentarians, and renowned Islamic figures from across the region. The gathering also featured inspiring Quran recitations from the participants, allowing the audience to appreciate the depth of dedication and spiritual commitment displayed by the contestants.
In his address, Awad Al-Anzi emphasized the strong alignment between Saudi Arabia’s message and the core values of Islam, particularly those of goodness, justice, mercy, and kindness. He underscored that these values have been a guiding principle for the Kingdom since its founding, affirming that the Saudi leadership has consistently upheld these ideals in all of its actions and initiatives. Al-Anzi pointed out that the Quran memorization competition, along with other similar initiatives, reflects the Kingdom's profound commitment to preserving and promoting the Quran, highlighting the country’s ongoing efforts to encourage Quranic education and reverence globally.
A central highlight of Al-Anzi’s speech was the mention of the King Fahd Glorious Qur'an Printing Complex in Madinah, which has played a pivotal role in distributing millions of free copies of the Quran to Muslims worldwide. Al-Anzi expressed his deep gratitude to the Saudi leadership for their continued support of such initiatives, and also extended his appreciation to the Nepalese government for their collaboration in facilitating the event. He noted that this competition was an extension of Saudi Arabia’s longstanding tradition of supporting Quranic initiatives globally, reinforcing the Kingdom’s role as a key player in the global Islamic community.
The Saudi Ambassador to Nepal, Saad Nasser Abu Haimed, also delivered remarks, commending the success of the competition. He emphasized that the Kingdom’s involvement in organizing such events abroad is an extension of its approach to Quranic preservation and dissemination. Ambassador Abu Haimed praised the competition's role in strengthening ties between Saudi Arabia and Nepal and underscored the importance of maintaining a focus on the Quran and the Sunnah in shaping Islamic practices and values. He also congratulated all the winners for their dedication and hard work in memorizing the Quran.
The event provided a platform for the participants and attendees to express their appreciation for the Kingdom’s tireless efforts in serving Islam, particularly its contributions to the Quran’s global dissemination and its encouragement of memorization and recitation. The recognition of the winners was a poignant reminder of the enduring bond between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the broader Muslim world, built on the shared reverence for the Quran and the prophetic teachings.
The ceremony culminated with the presentation of prizes to the top winners, followed by a commemorative photograph marking the significance of the event. The prizes, awarded to both male and female contestants, were a token of appreciation for their exceptional dedication to Quranic memorization. The ceremony was a fitting tribute to the participants’ achievements, underscoring the Saudi commitment to education, spiritual development, and interfaith cooperation.
