Islamic Affairs Ministry Completes Quran Preliminary Qualifiers Competition In The Balkans

The Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance has wrapped up the initial qualifiers for a significant international Holy Quran memorisation contest in the Balkans. This event, now in its third edition, was organised with the Islamic Sheikdom in Kosovo and coordinated with the Saudi Embassy in Albania. The competition attracted 2,350 participants from 22 countries.

Participants hailed from nations such as Kosovo, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Italy, Turkiye, Greece, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Cyprus, Slovenia, Croatia, Romania, Serbia, Estonia, Belgium, Ukraine, Georgia, Russia, Belarus, and San Marino. Out of these contestants, 160 have advanced to the final round.

The finals are scheduled to take place from May 8 to 11 in Pristina, Kosovo's capital. Competitors will vie across five distinct categories. The total prize fund for this event is SAR500,000. Meanwhile, the estimated cost of organising the competition is SAR1.2 million.

Sheikh Naim Ternava, Grand Mufti and Head of the Islamic Sheikhdom in Kosovo expressed his appreciation towards the Kingdom for its unwavering support. He emphasised that various initiatives by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs aim to promote a balanced understanding of Islam.

These projects focus on strengthening the teachings and values of the Holy Quran among Muslims in the Balkans. Such efforts are particularly concentrated in Kosovo to foster a moderate approach to Islam.

The collaboration between Saudi Arabia and Balkan countries highlights a shared commitment to religious education and cultural exchange. This partnership underscores a dedication to nurturing spiritual growth within diverse communities across Europe.

With inputs from SPA