The Ghana branch of the Mohammed VI Foundation for African Oulema has held its National preliminaries of the 6th annual memorisation, recitation and psalmody of the Holy Quran.

The competition which was aimed at inspiring Muslim youth in Africa to engage deeply with the Quran brought together Islamic students across the regions of Ghana as well as Islamic scholars and traditional Chiefs.

The 6th edition of the annual memorization and recitation of the Holy Quran has been described as one of the improved competition among the reciters as compare to the previous years.

The competition was so close that one was not able to tell which contestant was winning. This was a result of the perfection of the reciters.

This year's edition also witnessed a female contestant Ahlam Abdullah emerging as a winner in the Hafs style category making history as the first female to win the Mohammed VI Foundation for African Oulema Quran memorization competition.

In the five thematic parts of the Quran Jafaru Ali won with 98 points, Abdul-Shakul came second with 97 points whilst Hamdani Yusif Jallo and Zaid Baba Alhassan had equal points of 95.

Also in the full Quran memorisation Warsh style category, Mahmoud Mohammed Mahmoud took the first position with 98 points with Abdul-latif Yakubu placing second with 93 points and Abubakar Illiasu had 90 points.

In the Hafs style category, a female contestant made history as first female to win, bagging home the first position with 99 points, Mubarak Ali had 98 points and Zeinab Abdul Rahman 97 points.

The Deputy Ambassador of Morocco stated that the level of memorisation of the holy Quran was tremendous and commended the teachers and trainers who groomed the contestants.

He congratulated the contestants and commended the organisers of the event and prayed for Allah's abundant reward for their dedication and hard work.

The competition, according to him is an occasion for nurturing Ghanaian Muslim youth through the urge to learn the book of Allah as a guide to shaping their lives on earth in order to gain salvation in the here after.

He urged the participants to remember the importance of living by the teachings of the Holy Quran and strive to be compassionate, justice and peaceful to embrace the values of the Holy prophet Mohammed Peace be upon Him.

He added that the creation of the Mohammed VI Foundation is another powerful spiritual landmark of the effective model of South cooperation in the religious and spiritual realm among African countries to which King Mohammed VI gives utmost attention.

The President of the Ghana branch of the foundation, Sheikh Mustapha Ibrahim stated that he was impressed with the performance of the contestants of this year's edition of the competition.

He said, it is so impressive to see children of 12 years memorize the holy Quran and recite it with confidence adding that the competition is being organized in other African countries and the winners will be in Morocco for the finals.

Speaking on behalf of the winners, Mahmoud Mohammed Mahmoud urged fellow contestants not to lose hope in fulfilling the dreams and aspirations and encouraged them to learn harder.