13 Oct 2006
Dubai: It is a miracle to see thousands of non-Arabs who do not speak or understand Arabic language memorise and recite the Quran, said a leading Muslim scholar yesterday.
"We count millions of people of different nationalities and speaking different languages, who memorise God's words in the Quran. Those people are serving, promoting and preserving the Quran," said Egyptian scholar Dr Zaghloul Mohammad Al Najjar, who was named Dubai International Holy Quran Award's (DIHQA) 10th Islamic Personality of 2006.
"It is one of the Quran's miracles to see non-Arabic speakers memorising and reciting the Quran even though they do not understand it." Speaking at DIHQA's closing ceremony yesterday, Dr Al Najjar said the award is a significant initiative which has helped bring people closer to the Quran.
"Many people are unaware that the Quran is the only form of God's words that has been preserved through the past 14 centuries in Arabic language," he told a massive audience in the Shaikh Rashid Hall of the Dubai International Convention Centre.
He called on everyone to read the Quran because "it leads to the most upright path in life".
Ten competitors were honoured yesterday during the ceremony which was attended by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and other ministers and dignitaries.
DIHQA's Organising Committee honoured the tenth Islamic Personality of 2006 Dr Al Najjar, who is a renowned figure in Scientific Miraculousness in the Quran, besides the three winners of the best voice award.
"This award has become a pioneering milestone in the UAE. DIHQA highlights the message of Islam which is modesty, fairness, security, stability, sympathy, harmony and kindness." said Ebrahim Mohammad Bu Melha, Chairman of DIHQA's Organising Committee. On naming Dr Al Najjar as the Islamic Personality, Bu Melha said: "He is a prominent and outspoken scholar in the Islamic world. He was named for his significant lectures which are rich with information on scientific miracles in the Quran."
"It became the leading Quran recitation contest worldwide because it enjoys a very strong competition and the competitors have high standards. The fact that 10 contenders were disqualified this year shows the high standards of DIHQA."
Gulf News 2006. All rights reserved.
