Chargé d’Affaires Saad Al-Marri says the initiative reflects the Kingdom’s ongoing support for Qur’anic education and Islamic scholarship in Nigeria.

The embassy partnered with Usmanu Danfodiyo University as contestants from across Nigeria competed in memorisation and interpretation categories.

By Abdullahi Yusuf

The Religious Attaché Office of the Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Nigeria has concluded the National Competition for the Memorization and Interpretation of the Holy Qur’an, held in partnership with the Centre for Islamic Studies at Usmanu Danfodiyo University in Sokoto.

The closing ceremony in Abuja drew senior Nigerian officials, scholars and academics, including former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy Dr Isa Ali Pantami. The event was attended by the Acting Religious Attaché, Yahya Al-Sufyani, and held under the patronage of the Embassy’s Chargé d’Affaires, Saad bin Fahd Al-Marri.

Participants from across several Nigerian states competed in various categories, with strong representation from Qur’anic schools and institutions offering religious studies.

In his remarks, Al-Marri expressed appreciation to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for their continued support for Qur’anic education around the world. He also thanked the Saudi Ministry of Islamic Affairs for sustaining programmes that promote memorization, recitation and interpretation of the Qur’an.

He emphasized that the competition forms part of the Kingdom’s broader global efforts to support the Holy Qur’an and the Prophetic tradition, citing initiatives such as the printing and international distribution of the Qur’an and the organization of annual competitions at local, regional and international levels.

The ceremony ended with the recognition of winners in the various categories. Organizers and participants praised the quality of the competition and the Saudi government’s role in backing Qur’anic and educational initiatives in Nigeria.

A major announcement crowned the event: Saudi Arabia awarded a total of 35 million naira in prizes to top contestants. In addition, the highest-ranking winners received complimentary Hajj slots under the “Guests of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Program,” a gesture officials described as part of the Kingdom’s commitment to supporting Muslims globally.