Mohammed presents Quran awards

General Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and UAE Defence Minister last night honoured Dr Abdullah bin Mohsen Al Turki as the Dubai International Holy Quran Award's Islamic Person-ality of the Year.

Dr Abdullah was awarded Dh1 million during the award presentation at the Dubai Expo Centre which was attended by Sheikhs, special guests, members of the diplomatic corps, ministers and other prominent personalities.

Sheikh Mohammed also presented the Holy Quran Award contest's first prize to Mohammed Gibreen Barakah of Chad, who received Dh250,000.

The contest's second prize winner was Ermil Belqusfen of Turkey who received Dh150,000 and the third prize winner was Mahmoud Sabri Ali of Egypt, who received Dh100,000.

Mohammed Tahir Abdullah of Nigeria and Al Harith Ibrahim Al Makashfi of Sudan tied for the fourth position and each got Dh65,000.

Sixth prize was won by Ahmed Fahmi Muzani of Indonesia, who received Dh60,000. Seventh prize winner Mohammed Saeed Al Habbal of Lebanon received Dh50,000.

Eighth position was shared by Awali Ajison Milanzi of Zimbabwe and Bahaa Musef Al Qassab of Syria, who each received Dh45,000.

Tenth prize winner was Ali bin Saeed Al Awaji of Saudi Arabia, who received Dh35,000.

Winners below the 10th position were rewarded according to their marks as follows:
Those who got 80 per cent marks were rewarded Dh30,000 each, 70 to 79 per cent Dh25,000 each and below 70 per cent marks Dh20,000 each.

There were around 70 competitors from Arab and Islamic countries and communities.

The evening began with a recitation from the Holy Quran. It was followed by a speech delivered by Ibrahim Bu Melha, Dubai Attorney Genral and Chairman of the Award's Organising Committee, who said: "The Choice of Dr Abdullah as Islamic Personality of the Year is in recognition of his great role and contribution to serving Muslims and Islam.

"Dr Abdullah has been an exemplary scholar who feels concerns of the Islamic nation and reacts to needs of Muslims. He has always spared no effort to look after the Islamic affairs the world over.

"Dr Abdullah was also honoured for his written works which highlight the real essence of Islam and educate Muslims on their religion.

"The award has attracted a massive audience and viewers in the UAE and abroad. It was our pleasure to have the the merit of an assembly for the recitation of the Quran and remembrance of Almighty Allah. Now surely by Allah's remembrance are the hearts set at rest."

Bu Melha praised Sheikh Mohammed for establishing the Holy Quran Award which he said is like a tree grown by Sheikh Mohammed in the UAE's rich soil and its shade is enjoyed by all Muslims.

"May Allah reward you for your love of the Holy Quran and the Muslim Nation," he said.

Bu Melha thanked members of the award's committees, sponsors and volunteers.

A documentary film of the award and the Holy Quran Memorisation Centres in the UAE was shown.
Dr Abdullah told the gathering that Islam will prevail despite the fierce attack on the Islamic religion and Muslims.

He quoted the Holy Quran as saying:
"We hurl the Truth
Against falsehood, and it knocks
Out its brain, and behold,
Falsehood doth perish!
Ah ! woe be to you
For the false things
Ye ascribe (to US)."
"For the scum disappears
Like froth cast out;
While that which is for the good
Of mankind remains
On the earth. Thus doth Allah
Set forth parables."

He said: "Muslims are the best nation that has ever been raised for mankind: they enjoin the doing of what is right and forbid what is wrong, and they believe in Allah. Had the people of earlier revelation believed it would have been for their own good.

"Few of them are believers, while most of them are evildoers. They cannot harm you beyond causing you some trifling hurt; and if they fight against you they will turn their backs upon you in flight. Then they will receive no help."

He quoted the Quran as saying "For We had certainly sent unto them a Book, based on knowledge, which We explained in detail - a guide and a mercy to all who believe."

The Holy Quran also says: "He (Allah) is the One Who sends to His Servant Manifest Signs, that He may lead you from the depths of Darkness into the Light and verily Allah is to you most kind and Merciful.

"The Quran is a Message from Allah to humanity. It was transmitted to Muslims in a chain starting from the Almighty to the angel Gabriel to the Prophet (PBUH). Quran is literally the Word of Allah."

Dr Abdullah urged rich Muslims to contribute to raising Muslim children on the basis of the Holy Quran and tradition of the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH).

Sheikh Mostafa Qashqash, Chairman of the Award's panel of Judges, said that the five-member jury tested 66 contestants over11 days from Ramadan 8 to 18.

"Every contestant got the mark he deserves in accordance with the award's criteria". He expressed gratitude to Sheikh Mohammed the award's organising committee and everybody who contributed to it.

Winners:
Name Country Rank Cash prize
Mohammed Gibreen B. Chad first Dh250,000
Ermil Belqusfen Turkey second Dh150,000
Mahmoud Sabri Ali Egypt third Dh100,000
Mohammed T. Abdullah Nigeria fourth Dh65,000
Al Harith I. Al Makashfi Sudan fourth Dh65,000
Ahmed Fahmi Muzani Indonesia sixth Dh60,000
Mohammed S. Al Habbal Lebanon seventh Dh50,000
Awali Ajison Milanzi Zimbabwe eighth Dh45,000
Bahaa Musef Al Qassab Syria eighth Dh45,000
Ali bin Saeed Al Awaji Saudi Arabia tenth Dh35,000