Cape Town hosts Quran recitors from Silat homelands!

Two Qori's, Sheikh Ruslan Abdul Hameed from Malaysia, and Sheikh Dr. Sharifuddin Muhammad from Indonesia will set foot on Cape Town soil on Monday 12th September Inshallah. They will be present for the 5th National Quran Competition and Awards which will be held at the Igwatul Islam masjid in bridgetown. The event is hosted by The South African Qur’aan Union - a non governmental organisation that focuses on developing Muslims by imparting essential knowledge regarding the various disciplines of Qur’anic Knowledge.


Sheikh Ruslan has a bachelors degree in Qiraa'aat from Ma'had Qiraat Shubrah, Cairo and is a senior Imam of the state of Kedah since 1996. He judged Quran competitions in Malaysia since 1996 and also judged international level Quran competitions in Saudi Arabia and Libya. Sheikh Sharifuddin has a degree in Shariah, Dawah, as well as a masters in Management. He has participated and won national and international competitions since 1984. He judged the international level competitions in Iran and Malaysia as well as the competition between Asean countries and specializes in the area of Tarannum/ Maqaamaat.

The NQA, (formerly known as the South African National Qiraa’atul Qur’aan Competition), comprises a Qur’aan recital and research contest as well as a ‘Servant of the Holy Qur’aan Award’. It is a landmark initiative by the organization in an attempt to honour the efforts of students and teachers of the Holy Qur’aan. The event serves as an added encouragement for individuals to improve, and hence the aim of the NQA is to promote and maintain high levels of Qur’aanic learning and service, as well as to train and earmark successful candidates for international platforms.


Since the coming of Islam to the southern most tip of Africa, the Muslim community of South Africa has produced great teachers of the Qur’aan, many of whom has travelled extensively to other parts of the world, promoting excellent scholarship of the Qur’aan, and hence the aim of the event is to encourage and maintain high standards of Qur’aanic learning in South Africa. Islam in South Africa has a rich history owing to the great Ulama from Indonesia exiled to the Cape by the Dutch colonial force since the late 1600's. Two of the most honoured Shuyookh paid tribute to by Cape Muslims are Sheykh Yusuf from makasar, and Imam Abdullah bin Qadhi Abdussalam (Tuan Guru) who are both buried at the Cape.

Haafith Muntahaa Kenny (pictured above), the chairperson of the SANQU (South African National Quran Union) has been dedicated to propogating the Quran and currently teaches at the Darul Quran Tahfeeth school in Heideveld. Haafith Muntahaa has successfully hosted many such events attracting youth from all over the country, and hosting many prominent international guests. During October 2010, he was instrumental in organising a Silat Roadshow by the Azhar Seni beladiri silat team from Jakarta.

Program of the SA National Qur'aan Awards 2011:

Recital programs with Qurraa from Egypt, Malaysia, and Indonesia (all after Maghrib):
Mon 19 Sept- Masjidul Jamaa'ah, Sherwood Park
Tues- Masjidus Sabr, Parkwood
Wed- Masjidul Mieftaagh, Lentegeur
Thurs- Maitland Masjid, Maitland
Sat- Ighwatul Islam Masjid, Bridgetown

Fri Jumua recital programm at Masjidul Baghr

National Qiraa competition (all takes place at Bridgetown Masjid)
Fri after Maghrb- Junior category Prelim competition
Sat 9am- Thur Salaah, Teenage and Senior category Prelim competition
Sun from 10am- Asr, Competition Finals


　

For more info on the event, contact info@quranunion.co.za

~Abu Mukhtar~

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