Bangladeshi Hafiz Nuruddin tops at Saudi Quran competition

Bangladeshi Quran memoriser Hafiz Nuruddin Zakaria has secured first place in the fourth category of the 46th King Abdulaziz International Quran Memorisation, Recitation and Tafsir Competition, held in the holy city of Makkah, bringing a major international achievement for the country.

Nuruddin emerged ahead of competitors from 133 countries in the category, which tested participants on memorising 15 juz of the Quran, accurate recitation and tajwid. He is a student of Ar Rayhan International Madrasa in Dhaka.

Organisers said 334 contestants from 133 countries took part in this year’s competition. Participants competed across five categories, with their Quran memorisation, recitation, tajwid and related knowledge assessed through multiple stages.

Judges from Saudi Arabia and other countries took part in the evaluation process. Contestants were assessed on the accuracy of their memorisation, quality of recitation, application of tajwid rules and knowledge relevant to their respective categories.

A total of 50 contestants will be selected as winners across the five categories after the completion of the assessment process.

Organised by Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance, the King Abdulaziz International Quran Competition is regarded as one of the world’s most prestigious Quran competitions. It attracts Quran memorizers and reciters from across the globe every year.

The total prize money for this year’s competition stands at 12.6 million Saudi riyals.