ISLAMABAD: More than 1,400 Pakistanis have registered to participate in Qur’an recitation and Adhan competitions announced by Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority on May 22, making the South Asian nation the third biggest contestant in the race after the Saudis and Egyptians.
In all, 30,000 Muslims from around the world have registered to participate in the competitions, 17,050 for the Qur’an recitation contest and 12,950 for the Adhan competition. The top five countries in terms of highest registration rates include Saudi Arabia (6,169), Egypt (3,335), Pakistan (1,421), Indonesia (1,184) and India (828).
Saudi authorities announced the unique religious race last month, aiming to highlight “the diversity of the cultures of the Islamic world, which is reflected in the different methods of reciting the Qur’an and raising the Adhan.”
The organizers of the two contests told the media they were hoping to encourage a better understanding of the Qur’an and its recitation among young Muslims and sought to promote moderate Islam that rejected “extremism and intolerance in all its forms.”
The Kingdom’s General Authority for Entertainment on Thursday extended the registration deadline from June 22 to August 18 due to the overwhelming response.
The extension is expected to benefit thousands of aspiring participants who have not managed to register as yet, guaranteeing a large turnout from across the world.
Saudi authorities have also promised to distribute prizes of 12,000,000 riyals among the participants with “the most beautiful and influential voices.”
Pakistan third biggest contestant in Saudi Qur’an, Adhan competitions
Pakistan third biggest contestant in Saudi Qur’an, Adhan competitions
- Around 30,000 Muslims from across the world registered to participate in the twin contests
- Saudi authorities says contests aim to highlight Islam that rejects ‘extremism and intolerance in all its forms’
Pakistan expands crypto engagement with appearance at Mar-a-Lago finance forum
- Pakistan Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority Chairman Bilal bin Saqib attends World Liberty Financial event at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate
- Discussions focused on future of global financial infrastructure, digital assets, stablecoins, capital markets innovation, says Saqib’s office
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (PVARA) Chairman and Minister of State Bilal bin Saqib joined global finance leaders at an event hosted by World Liberty Financial, a crypto venture linked to US President Donald Trump’s family, Saqib’s office said on Thursday.
The event was hosted by World Liberty Financial, a crypto-based finance platform launched in September 2024 linked to Trump’s family. According to Saqib’s office, the gathering was held at Mar-a-Lago, the private estate and club owned by Trump in Florida.
Speakers and attendees at the event included David Solomon, chairman and CEO of Goldman Sachs, Adena Friedman, chairperson and CEO of Nasdaq as well as Lynn Martin, president of the New York Stock Exchange, Saqib’s office said. The event was organized and hosted by Eric Trump and American businesspersons Zach Witkoff and Alex Witkoff.
“Discussions focused on the future of global financial infrastructure, digital assets, stablecoins, capital markets innovation and the evolving relationship between regulation and emerging financial technologies,” the statement said.
It said Saqib’s attendance at the event reflected Pakistan’s growing engagement with global discussions shaping the next phase of financial and technological transformation.
“As Pakistan moves toward modernizing its financial infrastructure and strengthening its position in the global digital economy, such high-level engagements signal increasing international recognition of the country’s regulatory direction and leadership,” the statement added.
Last month, Pakistan signed a memorandum of understanding with a company affiliated with World Liberty Financial to explore the use of a dollar-linked stablecoin for cross-border payments.
Pakistan has stepped up efforts recently to regulate its digital asset sector and is exploring digital currency initiatives as part of broader measures to reduce cash usage.
