DOHA: The Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs started registration for the 22nd Sheikh Jassim bin Muhammad bin Thani Quran Contest (Juniors category) yesterday.
The contest, in third year, is open to citizens and expatriates — males and females.
Registration continues until Thursday and people may register from 8am to 12.30pm and 4pm to 8pm at Abdullah bin Zaid Al Mahmoud Hall in Freej Kleeb.
Participants will compete in memorisation of one of the last five parts of the Holy Quran.
The contestant must be a citizen or resident of Qatar. Age must be 12 or below for citizens and 8 or below for residents.
Those taking part in the Juniors category are not entitled to take part in any other branch of the contest in the same season.
Residents who participated in the contest with a part may not participate with the same part of the Quran again.
They are entitled to participate with another part from the last five parts of the holy book.
The Juniors branch was launched during the contest’s 20th session two years ago. More than 2,000 male and female contestants took part in this branch in 2013 and 2014.
The contest has been expanding and is witnessing a large yearly growth in the number of contestants, reaching 26,694 males and females since inception, the ministry said in a statement.
A new phase started when Minister of Endowments and Islamic Affairs H E Dr Ghaith bin Mubarak Al Kuwari issued Decision No. 24 for 2013, authorising the formation of a permanent organising committee for the contest.
The launch the contest in its new form paved the way for the addition of new branches and provided foundations for expansion through societal and media partnerships, among the most prominent of which is an active partnership with Holy Quran Broadcasting Service through the radio programme, Ahlul-Quran.
A new branch was launched for new converts and an international dimension was added with the launch of a special branch for non-Arabic speakers, a significant addition to Quran contests.
The Peninsula
