Dar es Salaam: The Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah, and Guidance honored the six winners of the 33rd Tanzania International Holy Quran Award Competition during a grand closing ceremony held this evening. Organized by the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs in Tanzania, the competition featured participants from 25 countries. It drew an audience of over 60,000 at the National Sports Stadium (Benjamin Mkapa Stadium) in Dar es Salaam.
According to Saudi Press Agency, this year’s competition was divided into two age categories, both focused on memorizing the entire Holy Quran. In the adult category, first place was awarded to Mohammed Amin Hassan from the United States, while Islam Ali Shalouf from Libya secured second place, and Malik bin Abdulaziz Al-Rubaie from Saudi Arabia took third.
For the young memorizers’ category, first place went to Mohammed Yassin from Algeria, followed by Youssef Yassin from Uganda in second place. The third-place winner was eight-year-old Zaid Al-Baqali from Morocco, the youngest contestant to have memorized the entire Quran.
During the closing ceremony, the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Sheikh Dr. Awad Al-Anazi, presented awards to the winners in the presence of Tanzanian Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa, Saudi Ambassador to Tanzania Yahya Akish, as well as ambassadors from Gulf, Arab, and Islamic nations, alongside several high-ranking officials.
Senior Tanzanian officials delivered speeches commending the Kingdom’s steadfast support and contributions to their country.