The Bauchi State Government has awarded N25 million to ten winners, participants, and judges of the 36th National Quranic Recitation Competition conducted in the state.
Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed of Bauchi State announced a scholarship to Amina Idris Mohammed of Cross Rivers State, who was the youngest competitor in the state’s recently ended 36th National Qur’anic Recitation Competition.
The governor, who revealed the scholarship at the competition’s concluding ceremony at Bauchi’s Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium, stated that it was in honor of her remarkable achievement in reciting the holy Qur’an.
Governor Bala Mohammed said it was a great opportunity for his administration to host memorizers and reciters of the glorious Qur’an in Bauchi and as Muslims it is our believe that, the Qur’an is the most sacred Book of Allah on earth which is divinely protected against all forms of distortion and manipulations.
He added that the National Qur’anic Recitation Competition should be viewed as more than just a chance for contestants to win prizes, and that, in addition to memorizing and correctly reciting the Holy Qur’an, contestants must comprehend the various verses in the holy book and put them into practice as Allah (SWT) has commanded.
“The last nine days of this competition could be described as a period of showcasing spiritual and intellectual capabilities and excellence by the contestants. There is no gainsaying the fact that the Glorious Qur’an remains the only Book that has been memorized completely by millions of people across the World.
“Bauchi state will not relent in supporting the conduct of this very important annual event and I want to announce the donation of 10 million naira to the winners, 10 million naira to competitors and 5 million naira to the judges.
“I want to once again note with appreciation that since the inception of the National Qur’anic Recitation Competition in 1985, this is the 3rd time that Bauchi State is hosting the event, and it is happening during my stewardship. The ability to memorize and recite the holy Qur’an alone without practicing what is said in the holy book is an anathema to the Islamic religion.”
The governor took advantage of the opportunity to address religious and community leaders, as well as to ensure good upbringing of younger generations in order to assure a better future, as society demands severe moral re-orientation.
“On our part as leader, we must lead with fear of God and by example, we cannot afford to ask our followers to be of good conduct while our conducts point to the contrary and on the numerous challenges facing our country, we must intensity prayers to God at all times to have mercy on us and save us from imminent destruction.”
The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar who was the Royal Guest of Honour at the event, delivered a keynote lecture in which he urged Islamic leaders and researchers to devise a plan to enhance the conduct of Qur’anic recitation competitions for the development of the faith and peaceful coexistence in society.
He said, “This is an important occasion that we should be supporting it for the benefit of younger generation because the importance of reciting and reading the Holy Qur’an cannot be over emphasized, hence the need for all of us to contribute to its sustenance.”
Similarly, the Sultan of Sokoto announced the award of a scholarship to one Aisha from Bauchi State for impressing him with her Quran recital.
“When I heard that somebody was so moved at the little girl who recited the holy Quran for us here, that he shed tears and he brought out N10,000 crisp notes to be given to her. I wondered what that N10,000 would do to her. I have adopted this girl. Summaiya will be Sultan’s student until she gets her degree in the university.
“I was also told that one Christian man was so impressed with her and gave her N5,000, that’s the spirit of peaceful coexistence. By Monday, we will be having our Inter-Religious Council Meeting and I think these are ways we should foster unity and relationship between Christians and Muslims in this country. I want to assure you that we will not be dragged into a religious war in this country, as long as we are leaders,” he added.
36th National Musaba Results
6th Category (2 Hizbs) Males
5- Enugu
4- Abia
3- Imo
2- Edo
1- Cross River
6th Category (2 Hizbs) Females
5- Imo
4- Bayelsa
3- Enugy
2- Edo
1- Anambra
5th Category (10 Hizbs + Tangim) Males
5- Zamfara
4- Jigawa
3- Kogi
2- Borno
1 Kano
5th Category (10 Hizbs + Tangim) Females
5- Gombe
4- Zamfara
3- Fct Abuja
2- Jigawa
1- Borno
4th Category (20 Hizbs) Male
5- Kaduna
4- Jigawa
3- Kebbi
2- Kwara
1 Sokoto
4th Category (20 Hizbs) Female
5- Kwara
4- Kaduna
3- Taraba
2- Borno
1 Fct Abuja
3rd Category (40 Hizbs) Male
5- Fct Abuja
4- Kaduna
3- Zamfara
2- Katsina
1- Borno
3rd Category (40 Hizbs) Female
5- Kaduna
4- Imo
3- Adamawa
2- Nasarawa
1- Kano
2nd Category (60 Hizbs) Males
5- Kogi
4- Yobe
3- Kebbi
2- Zamfara
1- Borno
2nd Category (60 Hizbs) Female
5- Kaduna
4- Jigawa
3- Oyo
2- Khadija
1- Zamfara
1st Category (60 Hizbs + Tafseer) Male
5- Jigawa
4- Zamfara
3- Bauchi
2- Niger
1- Borno
1st Category (60 Hizbs + Tafseer) Female
5- Yobe
4- Gombe
3- Fct Abuja
2- Katsina
1- Zamfara
Award & Prizes
Abba Muhktar of Borno state, who read 60 portions of the Quran with Tafsir and won N3 million, was the overall best male winner. Haulatu Ishaq (18), from Zamfara State, took home N3 million as the overall best female winner. She also recited 60 portions of the Quran with Tafsir.
Musa Ahmed, a male from Borno State, and Fatima Sani, a female from the same state, each won N2 million for reciting 60 sections of the Quran without Tafsir.
The Competition
The Musabaqah Foundation for Quranic Recitation in Nigeria, MFQRN, Centre for Islamic Studies, Usmanu Danfodio University Sokoto, and the Bauchi State Government collaborated to host the 36th National Quranic Recitation Competition. The Quranic recitation competition was held from March 18th to March 26th, 2022. (15th to 23rd Shaaban 1443AH).
