(LANKAPUVATH | COLOMBO) – ”High-ranking officials from the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Islamic Affairs, alongside the Minister of Buddha Sasana and Religious Affairs, are set to grace the ceremony as special guests, presided over by Hon. Khalid Hamud Al Qahtani, the Ambassador of Saudi Arabia”.
”It is a tradition of the Saudi Arabian government to host national and international Al-Quran Memorization Competitions with generous cash prizes in honour of the Late King Abdul Aziz and the Current Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud”.
”In 2023, Sri Lanka hosted its largest and inaugural Al Quran memorization competition, a historic event organized under the leadership of Hon. Khalid Bin Hamud Al Qahtani, the Ambassador of Saudi Arabia, in collaboration with the Ministry of Islamic Guidance of Saudi Arabia”.
Saudi Arabia has long placed great emphasis on the Al-Qur’an and Al-Sunnah, a tradition that continues to this day. Al-Qur’an memorization competitions are regularly held in Saudi Arabia and across the globe, with millions of Riyals awarded as prizes. Honouring Hafizs worldwide has been a longstanding custom, from the Saudi King to the late King Abdullah.
In keeping with this tradition, 12-year-old Hafiz Muqbil Zinan from Kattankudi, who is visually impaired, was invited by Hon. Khalid Bin Hamud Al Qahtani, the Ambassador of Saudi Arabia. During the visit to the embassy, Hafiz Muqbil was honoured with valuable gifts and was offered the privilege of free Umrah for himself and his three family members, at the expense of the Saudi government.
Numerous national and international Al-Qur’an memorization competitions, offering substantial cash prizes, are held in honour of the late King Abdul Aziz and the current Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud. Recently, a prestigious international Al-Qur’an memorization contest took place in the holy city of Mecca, with students from over a hundred countries competing and winning prizes worth several lakhs. These renowned competitions, organized under the direct supervision of King Salman bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister Muhammad bin Salman bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud, and Saudi Arabian Minister of Islamic Affairs and Da’wa Guidance Ash Sheikh Abdul Latif bin Abdul Aziz, have become a global initiative supported by the Saudi government. This initiative has been widely recognized and celebrated by the global Muslim community and leaders worldwide. A similar grand Al-Qur’an memorization competition, offering generous prizes, is scheduled to be held in Saudi Arabia ahead of Ramadan.
In 2023, Sri Lanka hosted the largest and first-ever Al-Quran memorization competition, organized under the direct supervision of Hon. Khalid bin Hamud Al Qahtani, the Ambassador of Saudi Arabia, and Ashshaik Badr Nasir Al Anasi, the Embassy’s Islamic Affairs Officer, with the support of the Ministry of Islamic Guidance of Saudi Arabia. The event garnered significant attention, with many high-ranking officials from the Ministry of Islamic Guidance attending the awards ceremony, which received widespread acclaim in Sri Lanka.
The grand prize-giving ceremony took place at the prestigious Colombo Shangri-La Hotel, where the winners were presented with cash prizes totaling 250,000 Riyals (equivalent to approximately 22.5 million Sri Lankan rupees at the time).
On January 20, 2025, the Ambassador of Saudi Arabia, Hon. Khalid Bin Hamud Al Qahtani, will once again lead the organization of the national Al-Quran memorization competition in Sri Lanka. The selection process for participants has been coordinated by the Saudi Arabian Embassy, with full support from the Department of Muslim Religion and Cultural Affairs.
The selection process, carried out in multiple stages across the country, culminated in the final selection of 24 winners—12 male and 12 female—who will receive cash prizes, valuable awards, and certificates.
The award ceremony will take place at the Galle Face Hotel in Colombo, with the presence of distinguished guests, including high-ranking officials from the Saudi Ministry of Islamic Affairs, the Minister of Buddhist and Religious Affairs, and other dignitaries. The event will be attended by key figures, including the director of the Department of Muslim Religion and Cultural Affairs, government ministers, members of parliament, ambassadors, organizational leaders, scholars, intellectuals, and journalists.
In fact, In 2023, the National Al-Quran Recitation Competition, organized by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs and Guidance of Saudi Arabia, received a remarkable response from Sri Lankan Muslims and garnered high praise from the Sri Lankan government. The event was attended by notable dignitaries, including the Honorable Speaker and the Minister of Religious Affairs, who graced the occasion as special guests. The success of the event was made possible through the invaluable contributions of various respected da’ees and the Department of Muslim Religious and Cultural Affairs.
Leading up to the competition, Honourable Ambassador met with key officials, including Mr. MSM Nawaz, the Director of the Department of Muslim Religious and Cultural Affairs, Mr. Nilufar, Assistant Director and Ash Sheikh Mufti, an official from the Department, to discuss essential preparatory work for the event.
The selection process for the competition took place in multiple stages at the district and divisional levels, with full support from Mr. MSM Nawaz, Mr. Nilufar, and Ash Sheikh Mufti. Students from Arabic colleges and Muslim madrasahs registered with the Department of Muslim Religious Affairs in Sri Lanka were given the opportunity to participate in the competition.
Hon. Khalid Bin Hamud Al Qahtani, the Ambassador of Saudi Arabia, has played a pivotal role in strengthening the diplomatic ties between Sri Lanka and Saudi Arabia. His exemplary leadership has left an indelible mark on Sri Lanka, with contributions so significant they deserve to be remembered for generations. While previous Saudi ambassadors have made valuable contributions, Ambassador Hon. Al Qahtani’s efforts have notably elevated the relationship between the two nations, further enhancing Saudi Arabia’s reputation in Sri Lanka.
The bond between Sri Lanka and Saudi Arabia spans over five decades, during which Saudi Arabia has made remarkable contributions to Sri Lanka’s development. These include the construction of roads, bridges, university buildings, specialized medical facilities, free medical camps, and the provision of ambulances to hospitals. Such contributions have played a crucial role in addressing Sri Lanka’s pressing infrastructure and healthcare challenges. Moreover, Saudi Arabia has become a key source of tourism for Sri Lanka, with many Saudi citizens choosing Sri Lanka as their preferred travel destination. This influx of tourists has significantly boosted Sri Lanka’s economy and increased its foreign exchange reserves.
In light of this, we extend our heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to His Majesty King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, His Highness Prince Muhammad bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Minister of Islamic Affairs and Guidance, Honourable Khalid Abdul Latif Abdul Arabi Aziz Ash Shaikh, Saudi Arabian Ambassador Honourable Khalid bin Hamoud Al Qahtani, and Honourable Badr Nasir Al Anasi, the Embassy’s Islamic Affairs Officer, for their unwavering support and the continued provision of valuable opportunities to Sri Lanka, on behalf of Al Hikma Institute and the entire Muslim community of Sri Lanka. We pray to Almighty Allah to bless them, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and its people with His divine grace and protection, and may they remain a source of strength and contribution to Islam, Muslims, and the entire world.
Ash Sheikh M. H. Shehudeen Madani
Director,
Al Hikma Welfare Association Colombo
