MAKKAH: The seventh Local Armed Forces Qur’an Memorization Competition for Military Personnel and the ninth Prince Sultan Charitable Society for the Memorization of Qur’an Competition for children of Ministry of Defense personnel were recently launched in Makkah.
The competitions are organized by the General Administration of Religious Affairs of the Armed Forces, in the presence of Maj. Gen. Pilot Hamid bin Rafea Al-Omari, director of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
The ceremony opened with a speech by Misfer bin Hassan Al-Issa, director general of the administration and supervisor of the competition, who welcomed attendees and participants and said the events reflect the Kingdom’s support for the Holy Qur’an.
He said the Holy Qur’an serves as a guiding framework that promotes moral values and instills strength, discipline, and steadfastness in both military personnel and civilians.
Afterward, Al-Omari said the ministry’s focus, under Defense Minister Khalid bin Salman, extends beyond defense duties and safeguarding national capabilities to include developing individuals in faith and thought.
He added that, amid rapid global changes, the Holy Qur’an is a key source of resilience in facing challenges and maintaining steadfastness.
This was followed by the automated sorting of contestants and the inauguration of an accompanying exhibition organized by the general administration.
The exhibition aims to promote understanding of the Qur’an and Sunnah in contemporary issues, the SPA stated.
The competitions, which runs until Saturday, include five categories: memorization of the entire Qur’an, 20 parts, 10 parts, five parts, and three parts, with total prizes exceeding SR1.8 million ($480,000).
