Kenya's Chief Kadhi urges parents to prioritise religious education

Muslim believers and parents have been urged to prioritise educating their children about religious teachings and adhere to them as they significantly contribute to building a person's moral character.

At the Quran Competition in Mombasa County on Sunday, Kenya's Chief Kadhi Athman Abdulhalim Hussein, highlighted the pivotal role of mosques and madrasas in steering youth away from drug abuse and criminal gangs, thus mitigating insecurity.

Additionally, he urged believers to utilise the sacred month of Ramadan effectively through worship, extensive Quran reading, and abstaining from sinful behaviour.

Athman also emphasised the importance for Muslims to invest more time in memorising and studying the Quran, recognising its teachings as relevant to daily life activities.

According to the Secretary of the Muslim Mercy Group, Said Abdi Said the competition was suspended for two years due to the relentless grip of Covid-19.

The three-day Quranic competition had drawn students from across East Africa including Tanzania, Uganda, Somalia, Burundi, Congo, Rwanda, and Zanzibar.

A section of those who attended the Quran Competition at the Makadara Grounds in Mombasa County on March 24, 2024. (Photo: Farhiya Hussein)

Winners

“Over 500 students had journeyed to Mombasa, with only 70 fortunate enough to compete at the historical Makadara Grounds. By Saturday evening 27 students had already secured international spots, yet only one would emerge victorious, earning the coveted prize of a fully funded pilgrimage to Hajj,” said Said.

Students were grouped into categories that are per Quranic Juz 5, 10, 20, and 30.

The best student in the Juz 30 category in the country, Yunus Masud was awarded the Hajj package and Sh60,000. He is from Kenya in Ukunda Markaz Daawa which is in Kwale County.

The runners-up and second runners-up received Sh50,000 and Sh40,000 respectively.

In the international category Juzu 30, Abdilatif Abdi Mirad emerged as the winner and was awarded Sh60,000 plus an iPhone 11. He is from Jamia, Nairobi.

A section of Muslim leaders who attended the Quran Competition at the Makadara Grounds in Mombasa County on March 24, 2024. (Photo: Farhiya Hussein)

The runners-up and second runners-up also received Sh50,000 and Sh40,000 respectively.

In the Juzu 20 category, the winner received Sh40,000, the second received Sh20,000 while the third got Sh15,000.

In the Juzu 10 category, the winner was awarded Sh15,000, the second one got Sh10,000 and the received Sh7,000.

In the Juzu 5 category, the first person received Sh10,000, the second received Sh7,000, and the third reciter got Sh5,000.