15th Jamia Mosque Qur’an competition opens

The annual Jamia Mosque Qur’an Competition officially kicked off today, Tuesday, February 17, marking the beginning of a three-day event dedicated to celebrating Qur’anic excellence among young people in Nairobi.

The competition has attracted 85 participants from various parts of the city, all eager to showcase their talents in Qur’an recitation and memorization. This year’s event is organized through a collaborative effort between the Jamia Mosque Committee and the Religious Attaché of the Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Now in its 15th year, the Qur’an Memorization Competition has become one of the most anticipated events on Jamia Mosque’s annual calendar. It reflects the mosque’s ongoing mission to promote Islamic identity and strengthen religious values within the community.

Muadh Fuad from Al Hufadh Madrasa participates in the 5 ajzaa (chapters) category

Participants were selected from among the top three performers in the Zonal Qur’an Competitions held last month across five locations in Nairobi County. Their qualification underscores the high standards and competitive nature of the event.

The competition aims to strengthen the bond between the young generation and the Holy Qur’an through recitation, memorization, and contemplation. It also provides a competitive educational environment that contributes to discovering and refining their Quranic talents.

The event seeks to promote Islamic values by instilling noble moral principles and deepening students’ sense of belonging through attachment to the two primary sources of Islamic guidance;mi the Holy Qur’an and the Noble Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

Contestants from various madrasas and Islamic institutions are competing in multiple categories, including full memorization of the Qur’an (30 chapters), 15 chapters, 10 chapters, and 5 chapters. This tiered structure allows participants to compete according to their level of memorization and ability.

The competition will conclude on Thursday, February 19, with a closing ceremony expected to be attended by Muslim community leaders and officials from the Saudi Arabian Embassy. Winners will receive valuable financial prizes and certificates, with special awards reserved for first-place achievers.

During last year’s competition, Ayub Hassan emerged as the overall winner. In recognition of his outstanding achievement, he was awarded a cash prize of Sh170,000 and sponsored for a trip to Makkah to perform the lesser pilgrimage (Umrah).

Meanwhile, the Jamia Mosque Annual Girls’ Qur’an Competition is scheduled to take place next week on Thursday, February 26, and Saturday, February 28, with the closing ceremony set for Sunday, February 29, 2026, at the Jamia Mosque Multi-Purpose Hall.

The annual competitions continue to play a key role in nurturing Qur’anic excellence among young Muslims encouraging them to upholding its message, serving as a guiding light in their lives thereby building a Qur'an-centered generation distinguished by knowledge and character.