Doing Malaysia proud in Dubai

Monday September 22, 2008

Malaysian Muhammad Ahmad Zahid’s mesmerising recital of the Quran has helped him win the best recitation category at the 12th edition of the Dubai International Holy Quran Award (Dihqa).And the 13-year-old hafiz (a person who knows the Quran by heart) was given the honour of reciting verses of the Quran at the prize-giving ceremony graced by the Crown Prince of Dubai, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum at the end of the competition yesterday.Looking smart in a baju Melayu and songkok, Muhammad, from Sekolah Darul Hikmah in Ampang, Selangor, was all smiles as he was congratulated by government officials, fellow contestants and others who were at the Cultural and Scientific Association Centre, the venue of Diqha, in Al Mamzar.Muhammad took three years to memories the Quaran. - Bernama
The teenager, who took three years to memorise the Muslim holy book, received his prize at a separate ceremony a few days ago.The overall winner of the Dihqa, which began early this month, was Yemeni Fares Al Aagam, followed by Libya’s Noor Al Deen Al Younsi and Khalid Al Ainati from Kuwait.The first three winners of the Quran recitation competition received 250,000 dirham (RM235,000).A total of 85 contestants took part in the competition.
Muhammad said he began memorising the Quran at seven.
“It was really tough in the beginning but it got easier along the way. And a keen interest in what I was doing also helped me greatly,” he said.
He counted his legal adviser father and mother, a dentist, as among his biggest supporters.
Asked what were his secrets of success, Muhammad said: “Hard work, doa (prayers) and perseverance.”Besides Dubai, his talent had taken him to places like Austria where he was invited for a Quranic performance in 2006.He often receives invitations to lead in prayers at mosques in Malaysia.The teenager, who spent much of Ramadan in Dubai, said he was looking forward to returning home to be with his family for the remainder of the fasting month and Aidilfitri celebrations.

TS