Global Reciter winners honoured

Manama, May 10 (BNA): Under the patronage of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the Ministry of Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments here yesterday the final contest and the closing ceremony of the second edition of the Bahrain International Quran Recitation (Global Reciter). The Ministry's Undersecretary for Islamic Affairs Dr. Fareed bin Yaqoob Al-Meftah, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs Khalid bin Abdulla Al-Shawmali were present. Guests of honour Saudi Shaikh Saleh bin Awad Al-Maghamsi and Shaikh Nasser bin Ali Al-Qatami, Algerian Shaikh Abdulhadi bin Hassan Laqab, Palestinian Dr. Hatem Al-Tamimi, Malaysian Shaikh Ismael bin Mohammed, MPs, scholars, diplomatic corps and scores of citizens and residents also attended. Dr. Fareed bin Yaqoob Al-Meftah expressed the kingdom's pride in hosting such a global holy Quran contest, noting that the initiative, aiming to strengthen Muslims' commitment to the holy Quran, is supported by HM King Hamad, HRH Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa and HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Premier. He highlighted the success of the competition, explaining that while the first edition attracted 5,000 participants from 83 countries, the second attracted a total of 7,000 contesters from 91 countries. Shaikh Saleh bin Awad Al-Maghamsi then delivered a statement on behalf of the guests of honour. He praised holding the competition amid the critical situation the Islamic World is going through. He extended sincere thanks to the Ministry of Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments, led by Minister Shaikh Khalid bin Ali Al Khalifa and the Undersecretary Dr. Fareed bin Yaqoob Al Meftah for their efforts in ensuring the success of the international holy Quran contest. He also congratulated all those who participated in the contest. The ceremony featured a documentary film on the second edition of the Bahrain International Quran Recitation competition. Then, the Justice Ministry's Undersecretary honoured the competition's sponsors, guests of honour and contesters. The winners of the reciting category in Tarteel mode (slow recitation) with Tajweed were Egyptian Mahmood Ahmed Abdulhamid (fifth), Algerian Khalid Hussain Ghuraisi (fourth), Egyptian Mustafa Al-Zain Ibrahim (Third), Egyptain Othman Zakariya (Second) and Moroccan Ahmed Mohammed Al-Khaldi. Meanwhile, Moroccan Hisham Ali clinched the fifth place of the reciting category in Tadweer mode (medium speed) with Tajweed. Moroccan Yunes Abdulla, Moroccan Yunes Mustafa, Bahraini Mohammed Sameer and Moroccan Mohammed Al-Arabi Qastali won the fourth, third, second and first places respectively. Khalid Abdul Salam Riyadh, from Morocco, received the Audience Reciter Award. Khalid bin Abdulla Al-Shawmali honoured the sponsors and members of the jury, and Bahrain TV Director Yussef Mohammed Ismail honoured TV channels and media personnel.