Some 65 Muslim girls from all over the country will take part in the Third Quran Memorisation Contest to be organised by the Sharjah Women's Club as part of the programmes during Ramadan.

The three-day contest will start at the Club's premises tomorrow.

The contest will be held under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Wife of His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah.

Salha Ghabesh, Director of the Club's Cultural Affairs Department, told Gulf News yesterday that the contest had been gaining the interest of young Muslim girls of all nationalities.

She added that it aims to strengthen their bond with the Holy Quran and promote Islamic culture.
Salha explained that the contest is open to girls aged between 12 and 20.

It covers three levels of Quran memorisation. Applicants for the first level must memorise 30 chapters of the Quran. For the second level, applicants must memorise 20 chapters and ten chapters for the third level.

The contestants must be nationals or expatriate Muslims, and their age should not exceed 20. Salha noted that a panel of judges will supervise the contest and announce the winners, who will receive cash prizes and certificates of merit.

Salha stressed that the contest has been gaining popularity year after year. She added that the Club pays great attention to religious activities, which include Quran memorisation contests and classes on Islamic studies held at the Club's mosque.

In summer, the Club organises religious classes for children that teach them the Sira of Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) and Islamic morals.

Meanwhile, the Social Guidance Association in Ajman yesterday held a ceremony to honour the winners of its annual Quran memorisation contest, said Walid Arafa, head of the Association's Media Committee.

Awards worth Dh10,000 were presented to the first ten winners. The contest is organised annually by the Association for women and girls of all ages.

Fatima Al Youssef, supervisor of the contest, praised the growing interest in this activity and viewed it as a positive step towards raising a generation of Muslim girls who know the Quran by heart and adhere to its values.