S/Arabia Splashes ₦35m, Free Hajj Packages on Qur’an Competition Champions
In a landmark celebration of religious scholarship, the Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Nigeria has concluded the National Holy Qur’an Memorization and Interpretation Competition, awarding a total of ₦35 million to winners and granting top performers the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to perform Hajj for free under the “Guests of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Program for Hajj and Umrah.”
The event, organized in partnership with the Center for Islamic Studies at Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, drew contestants from across Nigeria, alongside strong participation from educational institutions specializing in Qur’anic studies.
The closing ceremony was graced by former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, His Excellency Dr. Isa Ali Pantami, alongside senior officials, scholars, and academics. Also in attendance were the Acting Religious Attaché, Mr. Yahya Al-Sufyani, and the Chargé d’Affaires, Mr. Saad bin Fahd Al-Marri, under whose patronage the competition was held.
In his address, Al-Marri extended heartfelt gratitude to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, highlighting the Kingdom’s continued commitment to serving the Holy Qur’an and promoting its teachings worldwide. He also commended the Ministry of Islamic Affairs in Nigeria and praised the Religious Attaché Office for its outstanding efforts in advancing religious and educational initiatives in the country.
Al-Marri emphasized that the competition is part of Saudi Arabia’s broader initiatives to support Qur’anic scholarship, including the global distribution of the Holy Qur’an and the organization of memorization, recitation, tajwīd, and interpretation competitions at local, regional, and international levels.
The ceremony concluded with the honoring of top winners, who were celebrated not only for their remarkable achievement in Qur’anic memorization and interpretation but also for exemplifying the Kingdom’s enduring role in supporting Islamic education and humanitarian programs in Nigeria.