President Muhammadu Buhari and his Nigerien counterpart, President Mohammed Bazoum are among dignitaries expected at the 37th annual Qur’anic recitation competition in Zamfara state.
Briefing newsmen on Thursday in Gusau, the state capital, Chairman of Publicity sub committee of the competition, Ibrahim Magaji Dosara said the annual event is being organise by centre for Islamic studies, Usman Danfodio University, Sokoto.
“The Quranic Recitation Competition is an annual event where able young men and Women who are versed in the memorisation and correct recitation of the Holy Quran are brought together from all the states of the federation and FCT to display their talents.
“At the end, winners in various categories of the competition emerge and are rewarded.This is to serve as encouragement to others so that the tradition of preserving the Book of Allah in human memory is preserved and promoted”.
According to him Zamfara was the first state to take the lead in the adoption of complete Sharia code for the Judicial system.
“This has encouraged other states of the federation to follow suit. Since then, the state government has always been in the forefront in its support for Islamic culture which is unequivocally, our way of life”.
He explained that the present administration of Bello Mohammed Matawalle has done a lot in ensuring that people live a clean way of life as enshrined by Islamic code.
“One of the major achievements in this regard is the fierce fight against unscrupulous and wayward elements who chose to desecrate the Holy Quranincluding dumping it in pit latrines for obviously, occultic purposes”.
“The event will be officially flag off on Friday, the 16th of this month at the Trade Fair Complex, Eastern bye-pass Gusau by 10am.”
“The Presidents and Commanders in Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari and Mohammed Bazoum of Niger Republic will be the Special Guests of Honour at the occasion.
“The Chairman of the occasion will be the Borno State Executive Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zullum. The Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Garbai Amin El-Kanemi will serve as the Royal father of the day while His Excellency the Executive Governor of Zamfara State, Dr Bello Mohammed remain the Chief Host”.
He further explained that the competition will be in six categories and only youngmen and women of 25 years and below are eligible to participate.
“Winners of two out of these six categories will participate in the annual King Abdulazeez Quranic Recitation competition to be held in Saudi Arabia.
“This is another opportunity for the Government and people of Zamfara state to prove its lead as number one Sharia State in Nigeria” he stated.
He disclosed that the one week long event will be a test of hospitality to the young men and women of God from across Nigeria and also to their accompanying tutors.
