PM honours Hafez winners of international Quran competition

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has honoured four Bangladeshi Hafez who achieved success in the 46th King Abdul Aziz International Quran Competition held in Saudi Arabia. He congratulated the winners at a programme held at the Cabinet Division conference room at the Bangladesh Secretariat on Thursday, September 17.

The Prime Minister said the government will try to give state recognition to the achievements brought by the country's children through their talent and merit. He also noted that encouraging those who achieve distinction at the international level will benefit future generations and the country.

Addressing the winners, Tarique Rahman said this success achieved in an international competition is not just a personal achievement; the honour and glory of the country's people are also involved with it. He remarked that proper recognition and encouragement of talented individuals will create the path for even greater achievements in the future.

At the programme, alongside the Hafez, madrasa teachers raised various problems before the Prime Minister. He assured them of taking initiatives for possible solutions after discussing the matters with the relevant minister. The Prime Minister also said the government's cooperation for Bangladesh's contestants in future international Quran competitions will be considered.

Tarique Rahman said the government wants to cooperate in creating opportunities so that Bangladeshi boys and girls can participate in the international arena and bring honour and glory for themselves, the country and its people. At the same time, he called upon everyone to work together from their respective positions for the country's peace and the welfare of the people.

Contestants from 133 countries participated in this year's competition held in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. Bangladesh's Mohammad Zakaria secured first place in the 15-para hifz, tajweed and beautiful recitation category. Sheikh Mohammad Mahmudul Hasan Ashrafi secured third place in the 30-para hifz, tajweed and beautiful recitation category. Similarly, in the women's category, Rabeta binte Ramzan and Musfira binte Mahmud secured third place.

At one point in the programme, the Prime Minister presented books to the winners. He also listened to their recitation of the verses from the surahs with which they achieved success in the competition. Religious Affairs Minister Shah Mofazzal Hossain Kaikobad, State Minister Shameem Kaisar, Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Gani and Prime Minister's Principal Secretary ABM Abdus Sattar, along with relevant officials, were present at the programme.