More than 4,500 attendees, including Muslims from diverse backgrounds such as religious leaders, government officials, members of the Diplomatic Corps, and Heads of Muslim NGOs, gathered for the 11th Rwanda International Quran Competition, known as "Rwanda Musabaqa 2024,” held on Sunday, April 21.

From April 18 to Saturday, April 20, Gicumbi District hosted a total of 51 participants for the Quran competition, divided into two categories. The first category focused on recitations of 10 to 15 juz of the Quran, featuring young Rwandans not exceeding 18 years of age.

ALSO READ: Muslims root for support to the needy

The term "juz" refers to specific sections of the Quran, each containing a selection of verses. This competition aimed to showcase the participants&039; proficiency and understanding of these Quranic sections.

The second category featured recitations of 20 to 30 juz, with participants limited to those under 25 years of age.

The top five winners of this year's competition were: Cheikh Diop from Senegal, who emerged as the overall winner, earning a cash prize of Rwf3.2 million. He was followed by Moussa Abdram Idriss from Chad, Oubaydoulla Boubakar from Niger, Ali Ismail Hussein from Kenya, and Khalilullah Irasubiza from Rwanda.

ALSO READ: How Rwanda became an oasis of liberal Islam

Other countries that secured spots in the top 10 include Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, and Mali, respectively.

Audience members from across Rwanda were also given the chance to win cash prizes ranging from $50 to $200 by reciting Quranic sections, with one lucky individual winning a brand new motorcycle.

During a press interview, the Mufti of Rwanda, Sheikh Salim Hitimana, highlighted the significance of this year's theme, "Celebrating 30 years of visionary leadership in Rwanda that allowed Muslims freedom to Islamic beliefs and promotion of the Holy Book, Qur’an.

"All Muslims are reminded that our ability to host such a meaningful event to honour Allah in a safe and secure environment is a testament to the good governance we have in Rwanda. Over the past 30 years, the Muslim community in Rwanda has transitioned from exclusion to becoming an integral part of a society that strives for development alongside all Rwandans,” he said.

He highlighted that the competition has experienced substantial growth, now attracting participants from 30 African countries. The ultimate goal is to expand its reach to a global scale.

ALSO READ: Rwanda observes Eid al-Fitr amid reflection on Genocide against Tutsi

"Creating a thriving environment like this requires a strong foundation of security and good governance. The teachings of Prophet Muhammad underscore the importance of supporting those who positively impact our communities and uphold the values of Islam. These individuals are deserving of our prayers and support. I encourage everyone to keep our country in their prayers."

Regarding Muslims who become extremists, he emphasised that those who truly understand and follow the teachings of the Quran are good Muslims and good citizens who would never become terrorists or extremists. He explained that individuals who deviate towards extremism are usually misguided and do not adhere to the Quran&039;s teachings, which are meant to enhance lives, not destroy them.

"That's why we prioritise teaching the Quran effectively to young minds, ensuring they stay on the right path and are never led astray," Hitimana said.

Jamidu Niyitanga, Managing Director of Bena, Co-organizer of the competition, emphasised the importance of promoting understanding, mutual respect, and peaceful coexistence with other religions through the teachings of the Quran.

"We focus on educating children effectively to prevent them from being led astray into committing atrocities in the name of Islam. Those who engage in such actions are motivated by agendas unrelated to our faith, and they cannot erase the Quran's emphasis on moral and ethical values such as honesty, justice, compassion, humility, generosity, and forgiveness. Any attempt to mislead individuals who understand these teachings will ultimately fail," Niyitanga said.

In a post-competition interview after securing 1st place, Cheikh Diop expressed his gratitude, saying, "I thank Allah and feel privileged to compete here in Rwanda. The environment is beautiful and safe. Winning required perseverance and daily consistency—I would read and recite five parts of the Quran each day, cycling through the entire 30 parts regularly. I've also participated in competitions in Dubai and Kenya, which enhanced my experience.

"The competition was tough, and I owe thanks to my mentors from Dubai who recommended this opportunity. I hope others will succeed in the future because mastering the Quran is a noble pursuit with enduring benefits, beyond monetary gain. It's the path to follow until the day of judgment."

Khalilullah Irasubiza, the sole Rwandan in the top five, reflected on his achievement, saying, "It required hard work, trust in God, and giving my best in the competition. I strive to balance my commitment to both school and Quran, usually resting for about 20 minutes after school before dedicating time to Quranic studies. The excitement of mastering the wisdom within the Quran and learning a new language keeps me motivated."

The competition delegates had the opportunity to visit Kigali Genocide Memorial and the Campaign Against Genocide Museum, where they learned about the true events of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, its origins, and how it was halted. Participants will also have the opportunity to explore Rwanda during their visit.