The chief scholar and veteran Quran reader of the Makkah Holy Mosque, Dr Abdul Rahman Al Sudais, has been chosen the Dubai International Holy Quran Award's (DIHQA) 9th Islamic Personality of the year 2005.
Dr Abdul Rahman Al Sudais has been an Imam for the past 22 years. |
Dr Hareb said the winner has been an Imam for the past 22 years. "His remarkable and ear-catching intonation of the Quran during the Haj season and during the Taraweeh (special night prayers during Ramadan) in the holy mosque has made him very famous and beloved among the Muslim community," said Dr Hareb.
Dr Al Sudais reflects a bright picture of Islam and Muslims, he said.
"He became a recognised personality among the Muslim community through his Quran reading and working as a specialised professor in Fuqoh (Islamic jurisprudence)," said Dr Hareb
Dr Al Sudais will be honoured during the DIHQA's closing ceremony on Ramadan 20 (October 23).
DIHQA's Organising Committee chooses the Islamic personality of the year. The selection is carried out through nomination by states, universities and specialised institutions.
This award can be presented to a scholar or institution provided that the nominee should have provided outstanding and effective services to Islam.
His writings or stances should be universally recognised.
Towards the end of the press conference Dr Hareb said, "Dr Al Sudais was selected during the normal proceedings of DIHQA, however, he was too polite to accept it.
First, he told us that he couldn't accept the award because there are other scholars who deserve it more than he does.
He still considers himself a student." This was the reason for the late announcement of the award, he said.
A role model for the faithful
Dr Abdul Rahman Abdul Aziz Al Sudais, was born in 1961 in Al Qaseem area of Saudi Arabia.
He comes from the Anza clan and is a renowned personality with his simplicity, divinity and good character.
He memorised the Quran at the age of 12.
He achieved a degree in Islamic Sharia from Riyadh University in 1983 and was appointed a lecturer in Islamic Fundamental Knowledge of the same University, immediately after completing his study.
He received his Master's degree in Islamic Fundamentals from the College of Sharia of Imam Mohammad Bin Saud Islamic University in 1987 and got his PhD in Islamic Sharia from Umm Al Qura University in 1995 while he was working in the same university as an associate professor after his service at Riyadh University.
