By G. Bennie Bravo Johnson, Sr
For the first time since the establishment of the Mohammed VI Foundation of African Oulema for memorization, recitation, and psalmody of the Holy Quran competition Liberia chapter a female judge was among the panel of judges.
Disclosing to this paper over the weekend, Sheikh Rashid Sheriff, Coordinator for the Quranic competition, of Mohammed VI Foundation for Islamic Scholars, Liberia Branch said that the Islamic female scholars represented on the panels of judges for this year’s edition of the competition were Madam Aisha Mohammed Barry.
Accordingly, he added that this move marks the first time in the history of the Liberia chapter to have a female who has memorized the entire Quran to serve on the panel of judges during the Quranic competition.
“This is unprecedented for which we are grateful to Allah”, Sheikh Rashid Sheriff, the Quranic Competition Coordinator acknowledged. What’s more emulating is that this Foundation has unprecedentedly promoted Gender sensitivity and inclusion in the History of Quranic memorization and recitation in the Republic of Liberia, thereby selecting Mrs Aisha Mohammed Barry as a female judge amongst the panel of judges” he noted.
Two young and brilliant Liberian emerging Islamic scholars over the weekend overwhelmingly won their space to represent Liberia at the Mohammed VI Foundation of African Oulema for memorization, recitation, and psalmody of the Holy Quran competition in the Kingdom of Morocco.
Both scholars won their positions at a tense process which was presided over by four Islamic scholars panel judges with vast knowledge and comprehensive understanding of the Holy Quran after they memorized and recited the Holy Quran.
The two scholars include Reciter Ahmed Abubakar Jalloh who emerged and won the first position in the complete Memorization and Recitation category in various styles and other narrations.
While Reciter Abdulaziz Sow, on the other hand, also won the Tajweed category with Memorization at least hazard.
For the complete memorization of Warsh’s narration on the authority of Nafi’, there was no competitor in this field.
On Saturday, May 11_2024, at the Al-Hayat Mosque in Brewerville, outside Monrovia, Liberian capital, the branch of the Mohammed VI Foundation for African Ulemas in Liberia organized the elimination qualifiers to select the winners who will represent the Foundation branch in the final stages of the fifth edition of the Mohammed VI Foundation for African Ulemas competition in Memorization, Recitation and intonation of the Holy Qur’an.
The competition took place in two stages: the first stage included introductory readings in which (50)
male and female contestants participated, from whom (31) male and female readers were chosen and competed in the second elimination stage.
The Qur’anic competition witnessed the presence of the head of the branch, His Eminence Sheikh Omaru Abubakar Kamara, along with members of the branch and some Islamic figures and government officials.
Speaking in an interview with this paper following their victory pronouncement, Reciter Ahmed Abubakar Jalloh who emerged as the first position winner, expressed appreciation and gratitude to the Almighty Allah, most gracious and merciful.
According to him, his victory comes as the result of hard work, dedication, and commitment to the Holy Quran, urging other young Islamic scholars to make the Holy Quran their companion.
Speaking earlier in his inductors and welcome remark, the President of the Mohammed VI Foundation for African Ulemas in Liberia, Sheikh Umaru Trawally, expressed appreciation and honored and welcomed all of the participants and attendees to this blessed religious ceremony.
According to him, it’s the qualifying round to select the winners who Will represent Liberia in the grand final of the fifth edition of the Mohammed VI Foundation Annual Quranic Memorization and Recitation Competition 1445/2024.
“The Almighty Allah says in His Glorious Book: “Indeed, this Quran guides to that which is most just and right….” Truly, the virtues of the Holy Quran are so many that they can not be counted. It is the book that the Almighty Allah revealed to His Messenger, peace be upon him, as guidance, mercy and comprehensive way of Allah for all mankind” he pointed out.
He further indicated that the efforts of the Mohammed VI Foundation of African Ulema (African Islamic scholars) of Morocco in promoting and supporting the teachings of the book of Allah are tremendous beyond description.
The President lamented that the positive impact and fruitful results of these Quranic competitions that the Foundation organizes every year are well noted and highly appreciated by Muslims, especially, the African Muslim youth, as these competitions have encouraged and motivated them; thereby increasing a spirit of competitiveness among them in the Memorization, Recitation and application of the Holy Book of Almighty Allah.
“I am also honored to extend the highest expression of thanks and appreciation, in my name and on behalf of the members of the Liberia branch, to the founder of this giant institution, His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may Allah protect him, for his kind initiatives in various fields of charitable, religious, and humanitarian works, praying to the Almighty Allah to reward him abundantly in both worlds and all those who are working very hard to achieve it’s desired goals” he concluded.
