Bahrain Holds Ceremony Marking Laylat Al Qadr and Closing of 29th Bahrain Holy Quran Grand Prize
TDT | Manama
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Under the esteemed patronage of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (SCIA), in collaboration with the Ministry of Justice, Islamic Affairs, and Endowments, organized the annual ceremony marking Laylat Al Qadr and the closing event of the 29th edition of the Bahrain Holy Quran Grand Prize. The ceremony, which took place in a vibrant atmosphere, was attended by Shaikh Abdulrahman bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Khalifa, President of the SCIA.
In his address, Shaikh Abdulrahman expressed heartfelt gratitude to His Majesty the King for his unwavering support of the event and the award. He highlighted His Majesty's ongoing dedication to nurturing Islamic events and initiatives in Bahrain, particularly those focusing on the Quran, as a reflection of the Kingdom’s commitment to preserving and promoting religious values.
Shaikh Abdulrahman also praised the Council’s efforts in supporting Quranic education and maintaining the Holy Quran’s sanctity. He commended the Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Social Development, as well as the Ministry of Justice, Islamic Affairs, and Endowments for their cooperation in organizing and facilitating the event.
The ceremony began with a Quranic recitation by Hamad Mishaal, who earned second place in the full Quran memorisation category. Shaikh Abdulrahman bin Dharrar Al Shaer, a member of the SCIA, delivered a speech that highlighted the spiritual significance of Laylat Al Qadr, citing Quranic verses and prophetic traditions that underscore its value as a night of divine blessings and mercy.
Shaikh Al Shaer emphasized the pivotal role of His Majesty's leadership in promoting religious identity and Quranic education in Bahrain. He acknowledged the SCIA's dedication to fostering the Islamic faith through various programs, including the Institute of Quran Recitations and Teacher Preparation.
In his speech, Shaikh Dr. Suleiman bin Shaikh Mansour Al Sitra discussed the unique virtues of Laylat Al Qadr, describing it as a night of unparalleled merit, better than a thousand months. He encouraged the community to observe the night with devotion, prayer, Quran recitation, and acts of charity, as it is a time when angels descend to decree divine decisions for the coming year.
The ceremony culminated with the presentation of awards across seven competition categories, recognizing 105 male winners for their outstanding achievements. Special awards included the Family Quran Prize, prizes for the oldest and youngest participants, Dawood’s Flute prize for excellence in recitation, the Best Local Quran Competition Prize, and the Best Quran Centre Prize, awarded to the Shaikh Isa bin Ali Al Khalifa Quran Memorization Centre.
Notable attendees at the event included Shaikh Khalid bin Ali bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, Deputy Chairman of the Supreme Judicial Council, Dr. Shaikh Abdulla bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications, Nawaf bin Mohammed Al Maawda, Minister of Justice, Islamic Affairs, and Endowments, and Osama bin Saleh Al Alawi, Minister of Social Development, among other distinguished guests.
This year’s edition of the Bahrain Holy Quran Grand Prize saw an impressive 4,242 contestants, including 1,598 males and 2,644 females, competing across various categories such as memorization for Quran centre students, school students, people with disabilities, inmates, the general public, non-Arabic speakers, and recitation. The event serves as a testament to the Kingdom’s ongoing commitment to fostering a strong Islamic educational and cultural heritage.
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