37 National Quranic Recitation Contest launched in Zamfara

The annual national Quranic recitation competition organized by the Center for Islamic Studies at Usman Dan Fodio University has been declared open by the Governor of Borno State, Professor Babagana Umara Zullum.

Governor Zullum, who chaired the event, described as commendable the efforts of the Governor of Zamfara State to host this year's competition despite a biting economic reality.

He also extolled the good virtues of the Governor who he said deserved the title he bears, "Khadimul Quran".

"The mere willingness of sustained efforts to promote the Quran among the youth is an indication that the state governor's commitment to the government and people of Zamfara State for the welfare of society is beyond doubt".

Governor Zullum believes the multitude of challenges facing the country today can be alleviated if we embrace the power of the Quran.

He then donated the sum of N10 million for the smooth running of the week-long event.

In his remarks as the Main Host of the event, Governor Bello Mohammed stressed the importance of the competition which he said includes translating the words of Allah into practice.

He said that the importance of the Quran in our lives and the guidance it serves are the main lessons we should expect from the conduct of the event and afterwards.

He congratulated the local organizing committee for a well organized event. He also called on the participants not to see the competition as an affront to each other but as a service to humanity.

The chairman of the local organizing committee, Deputy Governor of Zamfara State, Senator Hassan Mohammed Gusau, said the competition is made possible thanks to the full support of the state governor, Dr. Bello Mohammed.

He praised the cooperation of the people of the state and the hard work of his team to carry out a smooth event. He ensured a free and fair and memorable event.

The Vice Chancellor of Usman University Dan Fodio, Prof. Bilbis has praised the Zamfara State Government for hosting this year's competition, which he says is an indication of willingness of the state to continue to raise the status of the book of Allah.

He called on competitors to view their participation as a contribution to promoting the virtue of the Quran.

In a short remark, the royal father of the day, the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Garbai Al-Amin El-Kanemi described the annual competition as a unifying factor among Nigerian Muslims.

He called on Muslims, beyond recitation, to apply the teachings of the Quran in their daily lives.

Guest speaker Sheikh Ibrahim Ahmad Maqari praised Governor Bello Mohammed, describing him as a governor who came to power in the state at a very difficult time.

He spoke of the need to protect Quranic study centers in the country's Islamic communities.

He also pleaded for a mandatory contribution to an endowment for the maintenance of these Islamic centers and also for vulnerable people by all state governors.

Professor Maqari also advocated for certification and the development and adoption of a modern curriculum for informal and semi-formal Quranic centers spread across the country's Islamic communities.