Abdi Wahab Kassim wins Sheikh Ali Sufi Quran competition, bags Sh2.5 million
During the weeklong contest, participants showcased their exceptional understanding, memorization, and recitation skills of the Holy Qura’n
Kenya’s Abdi Wahab Kassim Ahmed emerged victorious in the 4th Sheikh Ali Sufi International Quran Recitation Competition, which closed on Saturday, December 7, 2025 at the Sir Ali Muslim Club in Nairobi.
He went home with a prize money of US$ 20,000 (Sh 2.5 million). Following closely in second position was Egyptian Ahmed Mohammed Saleh, who was awarded Sh1.8 million.
Last year’s winner, Amaro Mohammed Ebraheem, a visually impaired participant from Egypt, came in third place, winning Sh750,000.
This year's competition attracted a diverse pool of 30 talented competitors from 20 countries across Africa, Europe, Asia, and the Americas.
During the weeklong contest, participants showcased their exceptional understanding, memorization, and recitation skills of the Holy Qura’n before a panel of six esteemed judges drawn from six different countries.
The event was organized by the internationally acclaimed scholar and Qura’n reciter Sheikh Abdirashid Ali Sufi, based in Qatar, in collaboration with Ansaaru Sunna Trust, led by Sheikh Abirazak Abdullahi Adan.
Speaking at the event, Sheikh Abdirashid urged Muslims to reflect on the eternal message of the Quran and study it with deep understanding, as it is a living guide for all aspects of a person’s life. The Qur’an holds practical relevance in all aspects of our lives. By reflecting on its message, we gain insights into every aspect of life, including family, relationships, governance, and social justice.,” he said.
“Whoever takes the Qura’n as a friend and recites it frequently, ponders over its message, gains closeness to Allah,” added Sheikh Abdirashid.
In his remarks, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, who was the guest of honour, paid tribute to Sheikh Ali Sufi, whom the competition is named after, as an exceptional scholar who devoted his life to teaching the Qur’an.
“The competition, a legacy of Sheikh Ali Sufi, is aimed at promoting the values of peace, unity, and spiritual growth through the beautiful recitation of the Quran,” said Duale.
Sheikh Ali Sufi was one of Somalia’s most revered Qur’an scholars, and it was under his guidance that the young Abdirashid memorized the Qur’an before the age of ten. Abdirashid later began teaching and leading prayers at his father’s mosque in Mogadishu before traveling across the Arab world and beyond to spread the sciences of Qur’anic recitation.
The event was graced by Sheikh Dr. Muhammad Falah Mendekar from Kuwait, Sheikh Prof. Ahmed Issa Al-Ma’sarawi from Egypt, Sheikh Dr. Waleed bin Idrees Al-Maneese from the United States, Sheikh Prof. Sohail Mohammed Iqbal (Kenya) among a host of Islamic scholars.