Dubai: Emirates Post Group (EPG), in collaboration with the Dubai International Holy Quran Award (DIHAQ), has issued commemorative stamps to celebrate the award’s 25th anniversary, document its journey and introduce its activities.
Obaid Mohammed Al Qatami, chief corporate affairs officer at EPG, said: “We are honoured to collaborate with [DIHAQ] to issue this stamp in celebration of the award’s 25th anniversary, as well as its noble mission and role in the service of the Holy Quran and its study. This is consistent with our commitment to support the cultural contributions, projects, and initiatives that the UAE is spearheading by preserving them in the chronicles of human history and raising awareness on their importance through commemorative stamps.”
Al Qatami added: “Commemorative stamps are effective tools for cultural documentation of major events and occasions, and we, at EPG, are keen on issuing them to celebrate such occasions. We take great pride in promoting this award, which is one of the most important Holy Quran awards and competitions worldwide. In addition to encouraging and supporting individuals who have memorised the Holy Quran [Huffaz] through competitions and activities, and recognising those who excel, we are also proud to highlight its role to the development of Holy Quran culture and studies locally, regionally, and internationally.”
Ahmed Al Zahid, member of the organising committee and award spokesperson, said the award was established as per the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
“We are thankful to him, and pray to Allah to protect him and bless him for introducing the world to such an exceptional gift by establishing an international award that highlights the significance of the Holy Quran and recognises and honours those who memorise it from all ages and nationalities,” he added.
Diverse programmes
Al Zahid added that the organising committee has prepared a diverse programme to celebrate the silver jubilee of the award in line with the directives of Ibrahim Mohammed Bu Melha, advisor of the Ruler of Dubai for Cultural and Humanitarian Affairs and chairman of the Award. The celebration included the collaboration with EPG, through which the commemorative stamp was issued.
The DIHQ Award has a wide range of local and international followers, especially with its two international competitions the Dubai International Holy Quran Contest for Boys, and Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak International Holy Quran Competition for Girls, which have garnered a large audience and positive feedback.
The award was established with two divisions: ‘The International Holy Quran Contest’, and ‘Islamic Personality of the Year’. It was further expanded to include 12 new divisions, which are: the ‘Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Mus’haf’; ‘Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Centre for Quranic Manuscripts’; the ‘Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak International Holy Quran Contest’; ‘Sheikha Hind Bint Maktoum Holy Quran Contest’; ‘Sheikh Rashid bin Mohammed Contest for the Most Beautiful Recitation’; ‘UAE National Memoriser Programme’; ‘Memorising Quran at Punitive and Correctional Institutions’; ‘Lectures and Seminars Programme, Research and Studies Programme’; “Recitations (Qiraat) Programme’; ‘Recorded Mus’haf Programme’; and the ‘Scientific Miracles in the Holy Quran Program’.
