Competitions of Sheikh Jassim bin Mohamed bin Thani's contest of the holy Qur'an for non-Arabic speakers (outside Qatar) started here Friday. Hundred contesters both males and females form the Balkans region countries (Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Slovenia and Macedonia) are taking part in the contest. For the first time in the history of the competition a branch for non-Arabic speakers outside diameter was opened specifically in countries that embrace Islamic centres and Qatari Islamic project. Thee conference hall of the Islamic Centre in  Rijeka hosted last night's opening ceremony of the competition in the presence of local officials, religious leaders and the heads and representatives of the Islamic chiefdoms in the participating countries in addition to the contestants . At the ceremony, Nasser Youssuf Al Sulaiti, Chairman of the Organizing Committee for the contest of Sheikh Jassim bin Mohamed bin Thani, who is also head of the Qatari delegation said the main objective of the competition outside Qatar is to promote the Arabic language among the contestants and to  develop their ability to memorize the Holy Book of Allah and enlighten them in order to perform worship in the way acceptable to Almighty Allah. He also stressed that this branch of the competition seeks to strengthen and activate the role of Muslims in their communities to be messengers of peace, love and the best ambassadors for the great message of Islam which encourages cooperation, harmony, mutual understanding, good manners and kindness to all people.