The 34th National Quran Recitation Competition coming up in 1441 AH (2020) will be held in Lagos.
This was disclosed by the chairman of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) of the event, Otunba (Dr) Abdul Fatai Olukoga, while addressing a press conference in Lagos on Tuesday.
Olukoga called on Muslims to support efforts geared towards successful hosting of the event, saying it will cost a lot in cash, logistics and moral assistance.
He identified some of the challenges to include increasing number of participants, growth in number of categories and the need to provide for large number of high calibre guests that will grace the occasion.
The competition will hold in Lagos from December 27, 2019 to January 4, 2020. It is the second time Lagos State will be playing host, having hosted the 1992 edition.
He also reiterated the fact that Lagos was determined not only to put up a fantastic hosting, but also ensures that its competitors do well.
He recognised the contributions of the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Abubakar Sa’ad, the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu, Baba Adini of Lagos, Shaykh Abdul Afeez Abou among other eminent Muslims.
Reiterating the importance of the competition, recalled that Allah said in the Qur’an “When the Qur’an is read, listen to it with attention and hold your peace, that you may receive mercy”. Surah al Araf, Chapter 7, verse 204.
The competition will hold at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos and the University of Lagos from December 27, 2019 to January 4, 2020. The opening and closing ceremonies will take place at the Teslim Balogun Stadium.
The event is jointly organized by the National Council of Muslim Youth Organisations and the Muslim Community of Lagos State.
The programme was introduced into Nigeria by the Centre for Islamic Studies of Usmanu Dan Fodiyo University, Sokoto in 1986. It has held annually since then, bringing together Muslim youths who have committed the Qur’an from all the states and the Federal Capital Territory.
The competition will hold in six categories each for male and female and each state is allowed to field competitors in maximum of five categories for male and female.
Winners in the national competition represent Nigeria at various international competitions which normally hold in Saudi Arabia, Malaysia and other Muslim countries.