‘Beautiful voices’ mesmerise Quran listeners

Dubai: Quran reciters moved the audience in a packed hall in a Dubai contest late on Wednesday night.

The ‘Most Beautiful Recitation Contest’ was held as part of the Dubai International Holy Quran Award (DIHQA).

Shaikh Mansour Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum facilitated officials on stage on Wednesday.

The main memorisation component of the DIHQA contest had already ended on Tuesday night. DIHQA, now in its 18th edition, is held every Ramadan at the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

On Wednesday, around 10 young reciters poured their hearts into the recitation, beautifying it and winning praise from the audience.

Mohammad Yasin from Yemen and Anees Al Fadheel from Libya were the first to start, reciting chapters of the Quran – from memory or by reading from the book at times.

People in the audience could occasionally be heard whispering ‘Subhan Allah’ (Praise God)or Allahahu Akbar (God is Great) in appreciation of the recitation.

The winners will be honoured during the closing ceremony of DIHQA on Friday night at the Cultural and Scientific Association in Al Mamzar area.

The first winner will be awarded Dh250,000, the second will be given Dh200,000, and the third Dh150,000. Other runners-up also receive sizeable cash awards.

Besides the regular panel of DIHQA judges, a specialised judge is assigned to the recitation component of the contest to look at tone and intonation used by skilled reciters.

Quran recitation has its own set of rules that govern aspects such as pronunciation, pace and rhythm of the verses. On top of the rules is the art of beautifying the recitation, which is highly encouraged and praised in Islam.

The recitation component of DIHQA was introduced in its night edition following a suggestion by Ebrahim Bu Melha, chairman of the DIHQA organising committee.

He is also Adviser to the Ruler of Dubai for Cultural and Humanitarian Affairs.

A DIHQA statement said “the goal is to serve the Book of Allah, show the love of Muslims for this Book and compete in its memorisation and recitation”.

Recitation contestants are divided into five categories: Buds (below 15 years), Youngsters (15-25 years), Youth (above 26 years), Mosques Imams, Most beautiful Adhan (Call to Prayer).

On Friday, Dr Ahmad Al Tayyeb, the Grand Mufti of Al Azhar institution in Egypt, who was named Islamic Personality of the Year by DIHQA, will also be honoured. Al Tayyeb will be awarded Dh1 million as part of the award.