Islam 'will never support terror or violence'

The Islamic Personality of the year 2005 said Islam has never and will never be a religion of terror or violence because it preserves the individual's human rights and dignity.

"The message of Islam and Muslims is modesty, fairness, security, stability, sympathy, harmony and kindness," said Dr Shaikh Abdul Rahman Al Sudais, the veteran Quran reader and imam of the Holy Mosque in Makkah.

Addressing more than 1,000 persons during the closing ceremony of the 9th Dubai International Holy Quran Award (DIHQA) at the Heritage Village, Dr Shaikh Al Sudais warned that there will be no happiness or peace, no saviour from chaos or misery and no rescuer from terrorism and extremism except through modesty and prudence.

The DIHQA seriously calls on Muslims to stick to their Islamic beliefs, norms, traditions and values, fairly and preserve their religious interest and culture in order to face the current century, which is "the century of trends of thought (schools), globalisation challenges, cultural transformations, technological and media advancements, satellite channels and the Internet," he said.

"I thank my parents who inculcated in me the love of the Quran and taught me how to implement it. They encouraged me to do charitable work," he said. He remembered the late King Fahd Bin Abdul Aziz and praised his devotion in spreading the message of Islam in the Arab and Muslim world and building mosques everywhere.

Ten competitors were honoured yesterday during the ceremony which was attended by General Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai Crown Prince and UAE Defence Minister. The DIHQA Organising Committee also honoured Dr Shaikh Al Sudais who was named the 9th Islamic Personality of 2005.

Ebrahim Mohammad Bu Melha, Chairman of the DIHQA Organising Committee, said it's a blessing that the award is organised during Ramadan because Muslims around the world pray to God and read and listen to the Quran. "The most religious and honorable competition in the world is reciting the Quran and reading God's words," said Bu Melha.

He remembered the late Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan and praised his love for charitable works and benevolence especially during Ramadan. He also thanked His Highness Shaikh Maktoum Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice-President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai and General Shaikh Mohammad for supporting this prominent award.

Saudi takes top prize in Quran contest

The winners of the 9th DIHQA 2005 were: Hussain Bin Mohammad Al Hindi, Saudi Arabia (first); Hassan Abdo Mohammad, Yemen (second); Islam Fikri Mohammad, Egypt, and Ali Saeed Salim, Qatar (joint third); Ebrahim Ahmad Mohammad, Nigeria (fifth); Ahmad Naji Sa'ad, Libya (sixth); Ali Mukhtar Abbas, Kuwait and Abdul Nasser Shaikh Mohammad, Somalia (joint seventh); Abdul Rahman Ahmad, Bahrain (ninth) and Abdullah Tofazzal Hussain, Bangladesh (tenth).

Egyptian Islam Fikri Mohammad won the Best Voice award, while eight-year-old Pakistani Mohammad Rafik won the Youngest Participant's award.