Under the auspices of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the winners honoring ceremony of the 18th Kuwait Major Competition for Quran Memorization and Recitation, was held at Bayan Palace Theatre early Wednesday.
His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah represented His Highness the Amir in the celebration, as he was received at Bayan Palace theatre by the Minister of Justice, Minister of Awqaf and Islamic affairs Yaqoub Abdulmohsen Al-Sane, Secretary General of the General Secretariat of Awqaf Dr. Abdul Mohsen Al-Jarallah Al-Kharafi, and members of Permanent Committee for Quran Memorization and Recitation competition.
The ceremony was attended by the Speaker of the National Assembly Marzouq Ali Al-Ghanim, former Parliament Speaker Jassim Mohammad Al-Kharafi, senior Sheikhs, as well as His Highness Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohamamd Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, First Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Sabah Al-Khalid Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, and Deputy Minister of Amiri Diwan Affairs Sheikh Ali Jarrah Al-Sabah, besides senior state officials.
The event began with playing the National Anthem, followed by recitation of the Holy Qur'an, followed by speeches given by Minister Al-Sane, and Secretary General of the General Secretariat of Awqaf Dr. Abdul Mohsen Al-Jarallah Al-Kharafi, A documentary film was played about the history of the competition's prizes. Then His Highness the Crown Prince, His Highness the Amir's representative, distributed the prizes to the winning participants; individuals and institutions.
A memorial gift was presented to His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, and was received by His Highness the Amir representative.
In his statement, Minister Al-Sanaa said that Al-Awqaf Secretariat-General has sought since its establishment to sponsor the Holy Book, trying to increase number of participants in the grand Quranic contest for 18 years.
Number of contestants this year reached 2,215 of both genders, representing 32 philanthropic associations in Kuwait, the minister said, adding that a special panel has been formed to encourage prisoners at the central prison to memorize the Quran. The contestants for the final round reached 1,423 and the winners, 163.
He expressed gratitude to His Highness the Amir's Representative noting Sheikh Nawaf's clear contribution to efforts to ensure success of the 18th round of the Quranic contest.
Meanwhile, the Secretary General, Al-Kharafi, noted the particular concern, devoted for the Holy Book, is in line with the approach dating back to the era of the late "the Amir of the hearts," Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.
He noted necessity of the Awaqf "for it ensures justice among all people without discrimination," and also congratulated the winners.
Kuwait has been the coordinator of Awaqf in the Islamic world since it was tasked with this mission at the Awaqf ministers' meeting in Jakarta in 1997, he said, and finally he addressed words of appreciation toward His Highness the Amir and the Government for their sponsorship of the event.