By; MOHAMMED KAWU, Bauchi
Vice Chancellor Usmanu Danfodio University Sokoto, Professor Lawal Suleiman Bilbis has expressed delight that the aims and objectives of the Annual National Qur’anic Recitation Competition of enhancing unity and brotherhood among states in the federation has been achieved.
The Vice Chancellor explained that following the annual event, participants, officials and audience coming from different geo-political zones of the country with different cultural and sectarian affiliations, all used to assemble and coexist peacefully under the unified umbrella of the Glorious Holy Quran
Speaking at the closing ceremony of the 36th edition of the competition held in Bauchi weekend, Bilbis however urged participants to be mindful that winning prizes are not the utmost goal of the competition, but rather an act of Ibadah, through abiding by the dictates of Allah (SWT) on the need for Muslims to learn and practice proper recitation of the Qur’an along with its memorization and commentaries.
Prof. Bilbis therefore called on the Federal, State and Local Governments, private organizations and well to do individuals in the society to willingly support the winners of the Qur’anic competition with scholarships to further their education.
Bilbis also recalled that many state governments, organizations and individuals have continued to render financial, material and moral support for the success of the annual event since its inception in 1986 to date, and appreciated all those who have in one way or the other contributed to sustain and ensure the success of the event.
The vice chancellor expressed gratitude for the encouragement, support and counseling the organizers of the competition have been receiving from the Sultan of Sokoto and President of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs in Nigeria, Alhaji (Dr.) Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar 111, saying “His relentless drive for the unity of the Muslim Ummah is remarkable”.
He commended the Governors of Bauchi and Gombe States, Senator Bala Muhammad and Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya, and stakeholders that have contributed in cash and kind resulting to the success of the Bauchi 36th edition of the competition, as well as members of the Local Organizing Committee, adding “May the Almighty Allah S.W.T. reward all with Jannatul – Firdausi”.
He noted with concern that the world today is faced with numerous challenges ranging from material and moral corruption, intellectual bankruptcy, insecurity and other social abnormalities which are threatening the socio-economic and political development of the country, stressing the need to put into practice all the verses written in the Qur’an as instructed by Allah.
Senator Bala Mohammed also called on all God-fearing Muslims, especially the respected Ulamas to intensify prayers at all times and places at such gatherings to pray against banditry and all forms of insecurity happening within the society.
He said, “We need to ask ourselves why these happenings, can we change it? Have we offended Allah? if so we should have some introspection so that we will be able to go for the expiation of our sins, for Allah to forgive us so that we will not be in this kind of mess we have found ourselves”.
“You will agree with me that the world today is faced with numerous challenges ranging from material and moral corruption, intellectual bankruptcy, insecurity and other social abnormalities. This state of affairs is threatening the socio-economic and the various parts of the world as a planet that is worth living in”, Bala concluded.
The 36th edition of the National Qur’anic Recitation Competition was sponsored and hosted by the Bauchi state government under the auspices of Centre for Islamic Studies of the Usmanu Danfodio University, Sokoto (UDUS)The event has a total of 328 participants that contested in the six (6) categories of this competition, out of which 168 were males and 160 females. Thirty-four (34) states of the federation and Federal Capital Territory (FCT) registered and participated in the competition.
