Jamaat chief felicitates four Bangladeshi Hafez who won Quran competition in Makkah

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer and Leader of the Opposition in Parliament Dr Shafiqur Rahman on Thursday felicitated four Bangladeshi Hafez who won prizes at the 46th King Abdulaziz International Quran Competition-2026 held in Makkah, Saudi Arabia.

The felicitation ceremony was held at the government residence at 29 Minto Road in the capital.

Noor Uddin Zakaria of Ar-Raihan International Madrasa in Demra secured first place in the competition. The other three Bangladeshi participants "Rabita Binte Ramzan of Tanzimul Ummah Girls Hifz Madrasa, Mahmudul Hasan Ashrafi of Markazul Madina, and Musfira Binte Mahmud of Sawda Binte Zam'ah International Girls Hifz Madrasa in Wari" secured third place in their respective categories.

At the ceremony, Dr Shafiqur Rahman said all four Bangladeshi participants who took part in this year's international Hifzul Quran competition in Makkah won prizes, with one securing first place and three others finishing third in different categories. He described their achievement on the international stage as a matter of pride for Bangladesh.

He said Bangladesh's national flag was displayed at the Baitul Haram in Makkah when the winners' names were announced. While people who achieve international success in sports, culture and other fields are often honoured by the state, he said similar initiatives have yet to be seen for Hafez who achieve success in international Quran competitions.

Dr Shafiqur Rahman also called on the government to arrange a state-level reception for the four winners as well as all Bangladeshi Hafez who have won international Quran competitions in the past and present.

He said religious education is an important means of promoting moral values and can play a significant role in developing good and ethical citizens. He called for appropriate government support for institutions and students involved in Qawmi education and Hifzul Quran, describing such support as their rightful entitlement.

The Jamaat chief also stressed the importance of integrating religious and general education, saying many madrasa students are now pursuing education at colleges and universities alongside their madrasa studies.

Among others, Jamaat Assistant Secretary General Maulana Abdul Halim, Central Executive Council member Dr Shafiqul Islam Masud MP and Acting Principal of Tamirul Millat Kamil Madrasa Main Campus Dr Maulana Khalilur Rahman Madani attended the event.

-HIS