Niger’s 23-year-old Maazu Ibrahim Muadh beat 43 students from 17 African countries to emerge the overall winner of the 7th edition of Rwanda International Competition of reciting the Koran this past Saturday.

The ceremony took place at the regional stadium in Nyamirambo.

Among the competitors 22 students were from Rwanda.

Muadh, who scored 99.6 per cent, was rewarded a Rwf1m and a ticket for the Hajj - the pilgrimage to the holy sites of Mecca in Saudi Arabia.

The final recitals saw only 19 students compete and in the end, five best performers, among whom two were Rwandan, were awarded.

12-year-old Al Abdi Nasir from Kenya emerged the second with 98.70 per cent walking away with a Rfw500,000 cash prize.

The only a female to reach the finals, Aisha Nikuze emerged the third with 98.27 and walked away with a Rwf250,000 cash prize followed by Shaffy Ishimwe who scored 98.17 and won Rwf180,000.

A Nigerian Abdullah Sadig Umar with 98.12 emerged the fifth and Rwf150,000.

Nikuze was awarded an extra Rwf 50,000 by other female Muslims for being the only woman to get to the finals

Addressing thousands of Muslims who turned up for the finals, the Mufti of Rwanda, Sheikh Salim Hitimana said that a good Muslim should be characterized by patriotism, love, unity and promoting security.

He noted that the competition to memorise the Holy Koran aims to encourage the young generation to read and learn the Koran for their own transformation and growth within the religion’s values.

"The contest is so crucial because it inspires the youth to grow with the best values. Memorizing the Koran helps Muslims not only to know but also to be awarded with cash or other prized gifts,” he said.

Islam is for peace not terrorism

Reacting to people’s perceptions connecting Islam and terrorism, Hitimana said that Islam stands for peace and love as recommended in the Koran.

"There are many people who call themselves Muslims and engage in mass killings of innocents but the Koran and Muslims in general should not be connected to such evil. Those so-called Muslims are not real Muslims because the Koran calls on Muslims to be united, to live in peace and to respect the rights of every human being,” he added.

He called upon every Muslim to fight against any radicalism activities, adding that whoever respects and understands the Koran can’t commit such crimes.

The Minister of State in charge of Primary and Secondary Education, Isaac Munyakazi, thanked Muslims for supporting education and people’s welfare which are the core aspects to the country’s development.

He also thanked the government for giving equal freedom to all faith based organisations, adding that such competitions shape students’ minds and enhance good performance.

Competitors speak out

The overall winner, Muadh expressed his happiness saying that he excited for having won the competition.

"It is my first time to participate and I am happy to win. I was not the only person to have read the Koran but it is Allah’s mercy that has gotten me here,” he said.

Nikuze, who emerged third, said that she was motivated by her parents to read a lot, adding that her success should encourage other girls to be self-confident and strive to achieve more.

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