Entries for the Gauteng leg of the SA National Qiraa’ah Competition are now open, with the Western Cape entry period expected to open around mid to late July following the conclusion of Ramadan. The competition, hosted by the South Africa Qur’aan Union (SAQU), has steadily grown from strength to strength in its ten years of existence. In 2014 roughly 60 competitors, hailing from more than 10 countries took part, and this year’s edition looks set to exceed those numbers.

The competition seeks to pay homage and recognition to the skills of those attempting to perfect their recitation of the Holy Quran.

“It serves as an added encouragement for individuals to improve, and hence the aim of the competition is to promote and maintain high levels of quranic learning and service, as well as to train and earmark successful (local) candidates for other international platforms,” said Awqaf SA, who will serve as co-host of the Gauteng leg of the regional’s.

The Gauteng regionals will be split amongst three respective dates, divided by category. The male junior category will be held on the 9thand 23rd May, with entries closing on the 5th. The main chapter of the event will take place on the 6th June, with entries shutting on May 22nd.

Information and logistics for the Western Cape leg have yet to be revealed, but it is expected to be held around the 2nd week in September. This will be held simultaneously with an international competition, in a weeklong series of events. There will also be a Kwazulu-Natal leg of the regionals.

The top two per category in each region will gain automatic entry to the International Qur’an Recital Award (IQRA) competition. As has been the norm since the competitions inception, the finals will again take place in Cape Town, this time during the latter part of September.

Victors and competitors who impress will be recommended by the SAQU to represent the country in international quranic recitation competitions.

There is no entry fee to take part, and all are welcome to participate regardless of whether they are hafith al-Quran or not. Competitors will be judged on their recitation, and not the depth of knowledge on the Quran.

For more information you may contact www.awqafsa.org.za, or you may contact Maulana Anees Kara at 074 786 8866. VOC (Mubeen Banderker)