Prominent personalities from the community are attending the inaugural session of the 21st All-India Qur’an Memorisation, Recitation, and Interpretation Competition in Delhi
NEW DELHI – Promoting the Qur’anic message of peace, compassion, and humanity is the greatest need of the present time, Maulana Asghar Ali Imam Mehdi Salafi, Amir of the Markazi Jamiat Ahl-e-Hadith Hind, has said.
“Where there is the Qur’an, there will be peace, security, and justice. It nurtures compassion, brotherhood, and equality. We must dedicate ourselves to spreading its message far and wide,” Maulana Salafi said on Saturday while addressing the inaugural session of the 21st All-India Qur’an Memorisation, Recitation, and Interpretation Competition.
Maulana Salafi reminded the audience that true faith requires more than mere recitation of the Qur’an — it demands understanding and practice. “Reading the Qur’an as it was revealed, understanding its meaning, and applying it in our lives are all essential duties. Neglecting any of these aspects would amount to abandoning the Qur’an,” he said, stressing that safeguarding Islamic seminaries (madrasas) is vital to preserving Qur’anic education.
The event began at the Jama Masjid Ahl-e-Hadith Complex in Okhla with the recitation of the Qur’an by Qari Shahnawaz from Mau in Uttar Pradesh. Dr Mohammad Shaith Idrees Taimi, convener of the competition, highlighted the Jamiat’s wide-ranging educational and social initiatives, describing the annual contest as “a golden link in its chain of service.”
He noted that this year’s competition is especially significant, with over 700 students from more than 100 Islamic institutions across India taking part.
Welcoming the participants, Maulana Mohammad Haroon Sanabli, General Secretary of the Jamiat, said the purpose of the competition was to inspire students to excel in Qur’anic memorisation, recitation, and interpretation. “The overwhelming participation reflects the success of the Jamiat’s efforts to promote Qur’anic learning,” he said, congratulating the leadership for organising such large-scale events under the guidance of Maulana Asghar Ali Salafi.
Dr Abdul Rahman Abdul Jabbar Piroi, patron of the Jamiat and founder of Dar al-Da’wah, Delhi, commended the organisation’s tireless service to faith and education. He urged the community to carry the Qur’an’s message of peace and justice to every household. “The Ahl-e-Hadith movement has always sought to connect every individual — regardless of sect or belief — with the teachings of the Qur’an and Hadith,” he said, emphasising that students should be taught the meanings of the Qur’an along with memorisation so they can understand and live by its guidance.
Qari Alauddin Qasmi of Darul Uloom Deoband (Waqf), one of the examiners, lauded the Jamiat’s programmes for their discipline and excellence. “It is an honour to be part of this competition for the fourth time,” he said, noting that such gatherings bring together a large number of Huffaz who strictly observe the rules of Tajweed (correct Qur’anic pronunciation).
Other distinguished speakers and guests — including Maulana Mohammad Ali Madani (Amir, Bihar Jamiat Ahl-e-Hadith), Maulana Mohammad Ibrahim Madani (Eastern UP Jamiat), Prof Nadeem Ahmad (Jamia Millia Islamia), Maulana Asad Azmi (Jamia Salafiya, Banaras), Hafiz Mohammad Tahir Salafi (Editor, Islah-e-Samaj), and Maulana Abdul Quddoos Umri (Amir, Madhya Pradesh Jamiat) — addressed the gathering, commending the organisers and Maulana Salafi for their continued efforts in promoting Qur’anic scholarship and interfaith harmony.
The competition is divided into six categories and features participants from across the country representing various schools of thought. Examiners from renowned Islamic seminaries are overseeing the evaluation process.
Prominent personalities from the community and across the nation are expected to attend the closing ceremony and awards presentation on Sunday evening.
