Nigerian youth wins Dh250,000 in Quran contest

A Nigerian contestant Sulaiman Isah, has emerged the overall winner of the18th session of the Dubai International Holy Quran (DIHQA), held at the Cultural and Scientific Association in Al Mamzar area, Dubai.

There were tears of joy as family and well-wishers congratulated winners as loved ones and fans hugged winners on stage immediately after the finale.

Also honoured was the Islamic Personality of the Year — Dr Ahmad Al Tayyeb — Grand Mufti of the Al Azhar religious institution in Egypt. He received Dh1 million as part of the award.

The first runner-up was Omar Baeisa from Saudi Arabia, who won Dh200,000; while the third position went to Mohammad Yasin from Yemen, who won Dh150,000.

The other top 10 contestants won cash prizes between Dh65,000 and Dh35,000.

This year, two contestants who scored identical marks were ranked eight and ‘second eight’.

Meanwhile, contestants who scored 80 per cent and above were rewarded with Dh30,000 each, while those whose performance scored 70-79 per cent received Dh25,000 each.

Participants with scores below 70 per cent got Dh20,000 each.