Christian man in Egypt wins free Umrah trip after entering Quran contest

Dubai: A Christian man in Egypt has won a free Umrah trip after entering an Islamic religious competition that tested participants’ knowledge of the Quran, despite being Christian himself.

The man, identified as Mina, had an unusual goal from the outset: to give the prize to his Muslim neighbour, known as Um Ali or Mona, and help fulfil her long-held wish to perform Umrah.

Mina said he came across a social media livestream hosted by Islamic preacher Dr Ayman Abu Omar and noticed that his neighbour was taking part in the competition, answering questions about the Quran in the hope of winning the pilgrimage, according to remarks reported by Sky News Arabia.

After learning how much the trip meant to her, Mina decided to enter the competition himself.

“I am Christian, but I entered the Islamic religious competition,” he said, explaining that his only aim was to win the Umrah trip for his neighbour.

Dozens of answers to improve her chances

Mina said he told Um Ali that he would participate alongside her, reasoning that if she did not win, there was still a chance that he might secure the prize on her behalf.

He then submitted the correct answer more than 50 to 60 times in an effort to improve his chances of being selected.

The strategy worked, and Mina won the free Umrah trip, a prize he immediately intended to give to his neighbour.

Um Ali said Mina’s participation had attracted attention during the competition and recalled being overwhelmed when she learnt that the pilgrimage had been secured for her.

She said performing Umrah had been a longstanding wish and that she had prayed for the opportunity to make the pilgrimage while she was still physically able to travel and walk comfortably.

Mina recalled looking towards her home after breaking the news and seeing her wiping away tears.

“I didn't know Umrah could create all this happiness,” he said.

More than 20 years as neighbours

Mina said his relationship with Um Ali and her family stretches back more than two decades and has long gone beyond that of ordinary neighbours.

He said he considers Um Ali an older sister and treats her parents with the same respect and affection he gives his own family.

The story has attracted widespread attention on social media in Egypt, where many users have praised the gesture as an example of the close bonds that can exist between Muslim and Christian neighbours.