Written By: Syed Rafay Ul-Hassan, IPC Summer Camp Counsellor/ Youth Volunteer

As-Salaamu Alaikum,

Alhamdulillah, on Sunday, September 1st, 2024, our masjid, IPC Jame Masjid Mississauga, witnessed a truly inspiring Qur'an competition. It was organized by our youth, who not only planned the entire event but executed it seamlessly, with the help and guidance of Ustadh Hanzlah, Ustaadh Abdullah, and Sister Khadijah. Watching them work so hard and pour their hearts into this event was a blessing in itself. They were determined to make it a success, and by the grace of Allah, they succeeded.

After Dhuhr, the final contestants were preparing themselves, making last-minute revisions of their selected Surahs. There was a sense of excitement in the air, mixed with a quiet reverence, as they stood ready to showcase their love for the Qur'an. It was beautiful to see the younger generation so deeply connected to the words of Allah.

The event opened with a soulful recitation by Qari Abdul Basit, setting the tone for a day filled with reflection and spirituality. Our respected judges, Qari Abdul Basit and Mufti Zakaria, took on the challenging task of evaluating the participants. They assessed the recitations based on tajweed, makharij (pronunciation), and the beauty of their voices. Some of the kids, Allahumma Baarik, had voices that were simply breathtaking. You could feel the effect of the Qur'an penetrating the hearts of everyone present. It truly was a blessed gathering in remembrance of Allah.

After the competition, we took a short break to allow the judges to tally up the scores. During this time, refreshments were provided for everyone, giving the community a chance to relax and enjoy some food together. It was a time of bonding and reflection on the beautiful recitations we had just heard.

Once the scores were finalized, prizes were given to the winners. It was heartwarming to see the joy and pride on the faces of the children who participated, knowing their hard work had paid off.

After the short ceremony, Mufti Zakaria delivered a heartfelt speech about the love of the Qur'an and its importance in our lives. His words reminded us that the Qur'an is not just to be recited, but to be lived by every day.

Alhamdulillah, the event was a great success. As a member of the youth committee and an active part of this community, I’m proud of how everything came together. A big thank you goes out to all who contributed their time and effort, from the youth organizers to the judges and participants. It was a beautiful day of unity and dedication to the Book of Allah. May Allah bless everyone involved and allow the Qur'an to remain at the center of our lives. Ameen.