Sunday, Jul 21, 2013
Dubai: As the 17th Dubai International Quran Awards (DIHQA) enters the final leg, the contest for the coveted prize heats up with several memorable performances vying for the top spot.
Several contenders have staked claims for the Dh250,000 annual prize including Nafi Al Issafi, 19, from Netherlands, who recited in warsh style, and did reasonably well.
Iran’s 13-year-old contestant, Milad Ali Reza, mesmerised the audience in a soulful rendition, in a style similar to legendary Abdul Basit from Egypt.
Among the top performers is also Ahmad Bahir Harir, 20, from Afghanistan, who gave a simple but impeccable performance.
But it is Ethiopia’s Misbah Sani Abdela, 17, who has been most impressive among the performers in the last couple of nights, making listeners feel every word with his soulful rendition.
As the contest enters the halfway stage it has brought in performers from every part of the world, bringing together followers of the Quran from around the world, reflecting the important role DIHQA is playing in the field of Quranic services.
“Over the last 17 years DIHQA has emerged as the leading light in celebrating the beauty of Quran and bringing together experts and students of Quran in one platform and facilitating interactions among them which has lead to great development in the field,” said Dr Saeed Hareb, Vice Chairman of the DIHQA Organising Committee.
He pointed out that DIHQA developed from a small institution and established itself into a flourishing enterprise with several initiatives under its umbrella.
“We now have separate contests for prisoners, elderly people and several national contests. DIHQA as an institution is a role model for other organisations working in the same field,” added Hareb.
From next year the awards will move to a new dedicated building in Al Mamzar built at a cost of Dh60 million under the patronage of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
The move to the building will see further expansion of the programme, with the inclusion of a Quran contest for women as well as hosting of regular Quran exhibitions all year long.
This year’s contest has seen around 90 participants and the contests will culminate on Ramadan 20 with the announcement of the Islamic Personality of the Year Award.
By Shafaat Shahbandari Staff Reporter
Gulf News 2013. All rights reserved.
