Eight memorisers shortlisted for most tuneful recitation contest

After 22 days of valuable lectures and relentless tests till 2am, curtains were brought down on the 20th edition of the Dubai International Holy Quran Award (DIHQA) at the Dubai Chamber on Wednesday night.
From a shiny list of 81 full Quran memorisers, only eight have shown exceptional performance in terms of most beautiful yet perfect recitation that left the arbitration committee and audience stunned.
Those are from Thailand, Panama, Bahrain, Senegal, Turkey, Bangladesh, Libya, and Niger, according to  Ahmed Al Zahid, Member of the Organising Committee, and Head of the Media Unit.  
"However, the names of the top winners in both the 'Memorisation' and 'Beautiful Recitation' contests will be announced later during the concluding ceremony to be held at the Cultural & Scientific Association, Al Mamzar, on Saturday, June 25, at 10pm."
The 10-night international Quran competition, the main branch of the Dubai Int'l Holy Quran Award, saw 81 contestants this Ramadan as compared to 76 last year; five more participants, he added.
"Initially, 92 memorisers were confirmed for this award, but five from China, Liberia, Uzbekistan, Djibouti, and Guinea Conakry apologized, and six others from Iraq, Chechnya, Angola, Ukraine, Belgium, and Macedonia were disqualified for failing to score the 70 percent required to pass the initial tests."
The seven contestants examined on Wednesday night June 22, included Toufiq Abdelli - Algeria, Jasim Khalifa - Bahrain, Salim Alshuwaiea - Kuwait, Aung Htet Shine - Myanmar, Emran Faqiri - Afghanistan, Mahmoud Barake - Canada, and Anwar Shoaib - Australia.
The Award started with only two branches - the Int'l contest and Islamic Personality, in 1997, but has grown to 14 branches this year due to the auspicious sponsorship of His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, Al Zahid pointed out.
"The 20th edition of the Award, named after the late Shaikh Rashid bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, God have mercy on him, has seen a big number of dignitaries, seniors, diplomats, and crowds of people from different nationalities."
The PR Unit of the Award had, meanwhile, organised a sightseeing trip to the Burj Khalifa, Dubai. "All contestants were guided by Al Sayed Abdulaziz to the 124th floor where they enjoyed the view and took some pictures."
The memorisers were also escorted to the Egyptian Club where they enjoyed some sports and contests being organised there every night. "The contestants also visited the DIHQA headquarters where they were briefed on the 14 categories of 20-year-old the Award."
ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com