38th National Quranic Recitation Competition begins in Damaturu

By Saleh Babagana, Damaturu.

Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State is hosting this year’s annual quranic recitation competition which is being organized by the Center for Islamic Studies of the Usman Dan Fodio University in collaboration with Yobe State Government.

The 38th edition of the competition was declared opened on Friday at the August 27 Stadium Damaturu, under the chairmanship of Honourable minister of Police Affairs, Senator Ibrahim Gaidam.

In his welcome address, the secretary to the Yobe State Government, Baba Malam Wali, who doubled as chairman local organizing committee extolled the good virtues of Governor Mai Mala Buni, adding that he is confident that under Gov Buni, the state will deliver a memorable competition that showcases the importance and beauty of quranic recitation.

In his remarks, the vice Chancellor of Usman Dan Fodio University Sokoto, Professor Lawal Sulaiman Bilbis recalled that this will be the second time Yobe is hosting the competition, having hosted in 2003.

“It is important to note that this is the second time Yobe State is hosting this activity. The last one was exactly 20 years ago in 2003, when the state hosted the activity with a very good initiative that has been sustained”, he said.

According to the Vice Chancellor, in 2003, Yobe pioneered the separation of male and female competitors, and today Yobe is also pioneering another innovation which is the introduction of another category known as Qira’at Category.

The vice Chancellor also acknowledged the untired and annual financial contribution by the royal father of the day, His Royal Highness Alhaji Dr Muhammadu Abali Ibn Muhammadu Idrissa, the emir of Fika and chairman of Yobe State Council of Chiefs, towards sustenance of the competition since it’s inception in 1986 to date.

The National Quranic Recitation Competition is an annual activity being organized by the Center for Islamic Studies of Usman Dan Fodio University Sokoto.

According to the vice Chancellor, the center was established in 1982 to do amongst other things research in islamic and other related discipline. The aim and objectives of the competition are; mobilize muslim youths to learn proper recitation and memorization of the holy Quran; foster unity and peaceful coexistence amongst muslims and non muslims by inculcating in the ummah, true and practical teachings of the Quran.

This year’s activity is expected to last for 10 days and close on the 30th of December 2023.