By Sulaiman Jalloh
A 14-year-old, Hadiatu Saeed Jalloh, from North West region of Sierra Leone has topped the 11th edition of the National Quranic Memorization Competition held at Fourah Bay College amphitheater by the Foundation of Islamic Information Sierra Leone Limited (FOISIL) on the theme: “Hope Through Divine Words”.
In a highly competitive recitation among nine participants from across Sierra Leone, five boys and four girls were competing to represent the country at international Quranic recitations. The young little girl managed to top the female category of the competition.
The results for the female category put Hadiatu Saeed Jalloh from the western region in first position, Haja Maimuna Bah from the western area second position, Kadija Jalloh from the northern region in third position, and Zainab Uthman Jalloh from the southern region in fourth position.
For the male category, Hamid Bah from the Western Area is in first position, Abdul Rahman Jalloh from the northern region came second, Salieu Jalloh from the eastern region in third position, Mohammed Lamin Kabba from the south came fourth, and Abdul Rashid Bangura is in fifth position.
In his welcome statement, the director of FOISIL, Abdul Latif Kargbo, called for more support, noting their content was Allah’s content to help people succeed while thanking all supporters and sponsors of the event over the year.
Chief Alhaji Mohammed Sajor Jalloh (MED-SAJ), the Fullah Tribal head, while declaring the program, notes that Allah has commanded people to listen whenever someone is reciting the Holy Quran and encourages all attendees to listen to the participants.
The Holy Month of Ramadan is not just a month of fasting; it is also the month in which Muslims across the World believe the Quran was revealed as guidance to mankind. During fasting, Muslims reflect, increase their devotion, and deepen their connection with Allah’s works.
The competition was a reminder as Muslims across the country, especially young scholars, gathered to recite the Holy Book.
In an interview with Hadiatu Saeed Jalloh, the young female scholar expressed excitement about championing this year’s competition for the female category. ” I feel so happy because I have won to go Dubai, a place where everyone wants to go,” she explained while calling on parents to teach their children the holy Quran.
Hamid Bah, the champion for the male category thanked Allah for making it possible for him and his tutors. Bah said although memorizing the Quran is not easy, with effort and the help of Allah, one can achieve it, noting maybe he wasn’t the best among those who participated, but Allah chose him to win.
Shiek Faruk Adam Bah, who served as the chief judge, had earlier informed that they sent people across the country to choose the participants for various regions, but Kenema was unable to send a female participant, thus reducing the number to nine while he explained how they judge and grade the participants. He added that every participant was to revive four questions. He said for one to get the blessings of the Quran, attendees should listen attentively to the reciters