JEDDAH: Outstanding memorizers of the holy QurÂ’an from centers in Asia, Africa, Europe, Australia and South America were honored during a ceremony organized by the Holy QurÂ’an Memorization International (HQMI) at Lailaty Hall here.
Makkah Gov. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal distributed gifts to memorizers and supervisors of the QurÂ’an study centers run by the organization in the five continents. The melodious QurÂ’an recitation by children from different countries added color to the event.
Abdullah Basfar, secretary-general of HQMI, said an international conference on the Holy Qur'an would be held in Makkah next year.
He said Crown Prince Sultan has donated SR25 million to HQMI in the form of an endowment. As many as 3,090 students have graduated from HQMIÂ’s QurÂ’an study centers in different parts of the world this year, he added.
“We have conducted nearly 200 local Qur’an recitation competitions and 71 training courses for teachers, sent 4,478 imams to different countries to lead Taraweeh prayers, and distributed 280,000 Qur’an copies and cassettes,” Basfar said.
Ahmed Mohammad Ali, president of the Islamic Development Bank and a member of HQMIÂ’s board of directors, said the organization runs 69 QurÂ’an learning institutes in 60 countries with more than 5,000 students. It also sponsors 952 QurÂ’an study classes.
“The organization has set out a strategic plan for the next 10 years,” Basfar said, adding that the plan would be a good reference for Qur’an memorization centers in different parts of the world. He said HQMI had given scholarships to 237 students for higher studies.
Basfar said as many as 20,683 students have so far graduated from the QurÂ’an study centers and institutes run by the organization in different countries.
A scientific forum titled “Toward developing an international reference for Qur’an teaching” was held as part of HQMI’s annual event with the participation of scholars from different parts of the Islamic world.
HQMI, which is an affiliate of the Makkah-based Muslim World League, is the first such organization formed to take care of the QurÂ’an and promote its message. The organization also has a ladiesÂ’ wing in order to conduct various activities among women. |