ISLAMABAD: A 14-year-old Pakistani boy said on Thursday it was a great achievement and remarkable learning experience for him to participate in the King Abdulaziz International Competition for the Memorization, Recitation, and Interpretation of the Holy Qur’an in Makkah where he was the sole representative of his country this week.
The competition was organized by Saudi Arabia’s Islamic Affairs Ministry where the deputy governor of the holy city, Prince Badr bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz, distributed prizes worth $1 million in the closing ceremony on Wednesday.
During the competition, 166 contestants from 117 countries, including young Azam Tariq from Pakistan, participated in five different categories.
“I feel truly honored and elated after participating in this prestigious Qur’an competition in Makkah,” the Karachi-based seventh grade student, told Arab News over the phone from the kingdom. “It was an incredible learning experience, participating with so many other people in my first international competition.”
Pakistani teen, Azam Tariq, is pictured participating in a Qur’an competition in Makkah, Saudi Arabia on August 31, 2023. (Photo courtesy: Hassan Zeb)
After completing a four-year Tajweed course focusing on pronunciation and traditional modes of recitation, Tariq said that he decided to make his own contribution to Islam by sharing his skill of reading the Holy Qur’an at one of the top international forums.
His father, Hassan Zeb, said that his son was selected to represent Pakistan after competing at various levels within the country.
“Initially, he won a competition organized by the government’s Auqaf department at the city level in Karachi,” he said. “Then he went up to the provincial level before outperforming other at the national level in Islamabad in February.”
“Following his victory over there, the Pakistani religious affairs ministry nominated him to participate in the competition organized by Saudi Arabia in Makkah,” he continued.
Pakistani teen, Azam Tariq, is pictured with his father in Makkah, Saudi Arabia on August 31, 2023. (Photo courtesy: Hassan Zeb)
All expenses, including visa, tickets, hotel stay, food, and transportation were generously covered by the Saudi authorities, he informed.
“The arrangements were excellent,” Zeb told Arab News. “We received a great deal of respect from Saudi officials.”
He said that Tariq went up to the final round, which took place on August 31, and the results were announced on September 6.
“He was awarded SR5,000 and an achievement certificate,” he added.
Hamzah Gilani, a spokesperson of the Pakistani consulate in Jeddah, praised the Saudi generosity and commitment that made the officials support the Qur’an competition.
“We should wholeheartedly applaud their dedicated efforts to promote Qur’anic knowledge and foster the participation of reciters from all corners of the globe,” he told Arab News.“This event serves as a remarkable platform to not only exhibit the vibrant cultural heritage of Islam but also to deepen the bond between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia,” he added.
