Local Qari, Gaarieth Williams, is back on home ground after representing South Africa at the 58th International Qur’an Recital and Memorizing Assembly, which took place in Kuala Lumpur from 2-7 May 2016. With qurraa from more than 60 countries competing, the challenge was not easy for Williams, the only South African representative. He successfully managed to get our country into the top ten list of qurraa and was ranked 9th for his recital.

After being invited by Nasreen Salie from Dunyah Malayo, Dunyah Islam (Muslim Malays of the world), Qari Williams jetted off to Kuala Lumpur where he underwent various rounds in which he recited before a panel of judges.

Williams first went through a preliminary round, after which 20 males and 20 females were chosen to take part in the final that  was opened by the king.

“There were 63 countries that took part, each one sends a male and female to represent their county, but SA had problems regarding mahaarim, so no female was sent to represent SA,” Williams said.

The qari started reciting Qur’an at a very young age with his first Qur’an teacher, Sheikh Ganief Moos of Wynberg. He later graduated from Darul Uloom Zakariya in Johannesburg, where he completed his hifth under Hafith Farooq Mansoor Sahib, who currently heads up the Hifth School at Darul Uloom Zakariya.

Williams  has certainly made South Africa proud.

VOC (Quaanita Satardien)