The function was blessed with the Iranian Cultural Consular, Alhaj Abdollah Abbasi, H.E.Mehdi Salehi,The Iranian Ambassador to Uganda, Representatives from the Embassy of Turkey and Syria

Sheikh Badrudeen Kasule, one of the judges of the Students Quran competition and Imam of Islamic University in Uganda female campus opened the function with Quran recitation to bless the event

 

Welcoming remarks from Dr. Rouhollah Dehghani,the principal of Al-Mustafa Islamic College recognised invited guests including diplomats from Syria, Oman, Turkey, Islamic Republic of Iran and praised almighty Allah for the opportunity and guidance to organise the second Quran competition which put us in the position of serving his divine word which is the holy Quran

He informed participants that the competition pulled 40 higher education institutions and secondary schools in Uganda, a country which has a deep history in the affairs of Islam and Muslims in Africa

He implored students that the competition will help in developing a Quranic culture among the young generation who have a big role to play in shaping the future of Uganda and the entire world

He noted that they believe that Quran is a message of peace and coexistence for human beings, Muslims and non-Muslims alike.

 

He said that the holy Quran is a miracle of all time and generations since it summarizes all the divine scriptures.

He informed participants that even Christian students participated in the category of research

He thanked Uganda Muslim Supreme Council for being part and partial whenever they're called upon in regards to Muslim affairs

He extended appreciation to Hariss international limited for the gifts to the participants

He also informed all participants that they're all winners of the Quran since it is the ultimate goal in their lives

He sent special thanks to Kampala University and Islamic University in Uganda for their efforts and role in this year's competition

 

He noted that in the second edition of the Students Quran Competitions, they had 11categories such as recitation (Tahqiiq and Tartil), Memorization, interpretation, Dua,Words of wisdom and Research

He rallied students that these categories show skills of recitation and Memorization though there's a need for deeper understanding of the meaning of Quranic words and interpretation of its concepts.

 

H.E Mehdi Salehi, The Iranian Ambassador brought brotherly greetings from the government and people of the  Islamic Republic of Iran ,appreciated the organizers and congratulated participants for their efforts and increasing their relationships with almighty Allah.

He quoted Prophet Muhammad saying that thinking is more than thousands of worship which put us at the centre of increasing our knowledge through understanding the holy Quran.

He extended appreciation to the government of the Republic of Uganda for the enabling environment which allow freedom of worship and expression

He rallied students to always seek for guidance and knowledge from the holy Quran as it is a comprehensive solution to all society contemporary challenges.

 

Prof Hyderi Abidi, the chairman of the Governing Council of Al-mustafa Islamic College welcomed invited guests and participants to the college

He showed concern of the local religious imams who misinterpret prophetic traditions and holy Quran which put our Islamic ummah at stake

He noted that it was China which had the ink centuries ago and some people from Egypt traveled to China to study the technology of papermaking which was started in Egypt

He quoted prophet Muhammad (PBUH) saying that Seek for knowledge although in China

He said that we should use religions for character building, peaceful coexistence and uniting people together

It's very important that religion and politics to come together otherwise we shall be at the edge of challenges from time to time

He quoted Imam Khomeini when he called Muslims to come together for affirmative action

He wondered why Muslims have seats in international bodies but they are always silent on addressing the Islamic issues at that level of making decisions.

 

Prof. Alhaj Badru Dungu Kateregga, the Vice Chancellor of Kampala University said that quran is a mathematical miracle including the    19 multiple figure and identified that the first chapter has 19 verses

He said that Islam is the only religion which was perfected and given a name unlike other religions

He noted that the holy Quran is the manual for all concerns therefore challenged young people to always do more research and understand the holy Quran better than the old generation

He thanked all institutions that participated in the second edition of the Students Quran Competitions

 

His eminence Sheikh Muhammad Ali Waiswa, the second deputy Mufti of Uganda wished his sincere thanks to organisers for coming up with such initiative to collectively bring together Muslim students from all over Uganda competing for the noble book

He noted that as Muslims, we have few scholars like Prof Badru Kateregga who have severed to start educational institutions and being a celebrated elite that the young people need to take as their role model.He informed participants that he is a product of the holy Quran since he studied on the verandah time in memory where his father inaugurated the first Quran school in Eastern Uganda.

 

He rallied students to always forget the system and look for betterment in order to realise their dreams and ambitions

He wondered while in Medinah University, how would fit in the education system of Uganda since he jumped from some levels to Uganda but got guidance from colleagues to do correspondence in UK as he tried to inspire the young generation to always do their best and leave the rest to almighty Allah.

He thanked students and parents for their efforts in educating their respective children in Islamic theology and secular

He mentioned that Uganda has a lead in Islamic studies since students are winning international Quran Competitions

He prayed that they will always be cooperative and supportive in all necessary assistance

He noted that unity in diversity needs literacy of the people in order to liberate ourselves from the vices of disunity

 

H.E Mehdi Salehi, The Iranian Ambassador to Uganda

 

The Iranian Ambassador and ag Iranian Cultural Consular at the event