Md. Ahad Howlader:

Quraner Noor, biggest ever Quran recitation competition in Bangladesh, wrapped up through recognizing young talents of Al Quran at an Islamic conference held on Saturday.

Over one thousand guests including Islamic scholars from home and abroad, imam of different mosques participated in the conference at International Convention City Bashundhara (ICCB) in the capital.

For the first time in Bangladesh, Baitul Mukarram National Mosque engaged with a national competition to recognize the talent of Al Quran.

Baitul Mukarram national mosque Musalli Committee organized the competition in association with Bashundhara Group.

Bashundhara Group Chairman Ahmed Akbar Sobhan inaugurated the programme while International Islamic scholar Mufti Ahmad Afnan of India was the chief guest on the occasion.

Internationally a claimed Islamic scholar Ahmed Ahmed Nuinaa graced the event as guest of honour.

Bashundhara Group managing director and Baitul Mukarram national mosque Musalli Committee chief advisor Sayem Sobhan Anvir presided over the function.

Hafiz Nuruddin Muhammad Zakaria of Markazu Faizil Quran Al-Islami won the competition of 10 thousand participants across the country. Quraner Noor champion Zakaria has been awarded with Tk 1 million prize money.

Shahriar Nafis of Dhaka North secured second position followed by third winner Mosharraf Hossain of Comilla Tahfizul Hifz Quran Madrasah. The runners-up participants have been awarded with Tk 7 lakh and 5 lakh respectively.

Addressing the function, Bashundhara Group Chairman Ahmed Akbar Sobhan directed the organizers of Quraner Noor to increase numbers of winner of the competition.

" I ever seen such programme with discipline in my whole life. Islam leads us to discipline. We should follow the lights of Al Quran to make the life successful. From Bashundhara Group, we always supports education of Islam through establishing an research centre,"  he said.

The seasoned businessman wished to provide assistance for setting up an Islamic university inside Bashundhara residential area.

Bashundhara Group managing director Sayem Sobhan Anvir firstly expressed gratitude to Almighty Allah Subhanau Wa Ta'ala for blessings to Quraner Noor competition.

"I hope, Quran talents will bring the image of Bangladesh to new hights internationally through such competition. They will achieve new success in future, In Shah Allah. I think, Islam means peace, it means humanity," he said.

Chief Advisor of Baitul Mukarram national mosque Musalli Committee also promised to spread the message of Al Quran globally through this competition.

"We will organise the competition internationally from Bangladesh. Let pray for us as we can make it successful," he said.

The programme began with Quaran recitation by internationally awarded Hafez Saleh Ahmad Takreem.

Shahriar Nafis of Dhaka North secured second position followed by third winner Mosharraf Hossain of Comilla Tahfizul Hifz Quran Madrasah.

The runners-up participants have been awarded with Tk 7 lakh and 5 lakh respectively.

Baitul Mukarram Musalli Committee president Eakub Ali, senior vice president Gulzar Ahmed and general secretary Mizanur Rahman Manik were also present on the occasion.

Nasrullah Anas and Mohammad Bashir Ahmed of Markazut Tahfiz International Madrasha became fourth and fifth position respectively. They have been awarded with Tk 2 lakh each.

Other three winners of Labib Al Hasan of Mymensingh, Abu Talha Anhar of Netrakona and Abdullah Al Maruf of Sylhet. They have been awarded with Tk  1 lakh each.

Besides the prize money, top winners will get opportunities to perform hajj along with their mother and father.