|| Over 135,000 students from 800 madrasas take part; 243 contestants receive awardsSpecial Correspondent: Opposition Leader and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman has called on Quran memorizers to take leadership roles in society and work to establish the teachings of the Holy Quran in individual, family and social life.“We want to see you move from the mihrab to positions of leadership,” he said, urging those who have memorised the Quran to translate its teachings into practice and help build a society guided by the Quran and the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).He made the remarks as the chief guest at the grand finale and award ceremony of the five-month-long Hifzul Quran Competition 2026, organised by Nagar Unnayan Forum under the patronage of its chairman Mohammad Selim Uddin, a Jamaat central executive council member and Ameer of Dhaka North.The event was held at the Shaheed Suhrawardy Indoor Stadium in Mirpur, Dhaka, at 3:00pm on Friday, October 16.The competition, which began on July 16, drew approximately 135,000 students from 800 madrasas across Dhaka, according to the organisers. Participants competed in three categories based on memorisation of 10, 20 and 30 paras, or sections, of the Holy Quran.A total of 243 contestants were selected as winners and received awards at the concluding ceremony. The prizes included opportunities to perform Umrah, laptops, bicycles and cash awards, with the organisers having announced a total of Tk 50 million in cash prizes alongside other rewards.Addressing the gathering, Dr Shafiqur Rahman described the competition as an unprecedented initiative in Bangladesh's history and expressed gratitude to Selim Uddin and everyone involved in organising the event.He called for people to set aside minor differences of opinion and unite to build society in accordance with the teachings of the Quran and the Sunnah.Congratulating Ridwan bin Ali, a young contestant who secured first place in the 10-para category, the Jamaat chief announced that he would arrange Umrah for the boy's father, mother and Quran teacher.He also prayed for Allah's blessings and success for Selim Uddin in serving the people of Dhaka North.Presiding over the ceremony, Mohammad Selim Uddin said the event was not merely about giving and receiving prizes but about illuminating society with the teachings of the Holy Quran.“We have come here to illuminate society with the light of the Quran and establish its teachings in society,” he said.He added that the organisers wanted Quran memorizers to carry the message of the Holy Quran into different spheres of society and fulfil their responsibilities as callers to the path of Allah.Although people may differ in their opinions, he said, they remain united in their respect for the Holy Quran. He stressed the need to establish Quranic values in personal, family and social life to build a just, fair and principled society.In his welcome address, Selim Uddin thanked those who had worked tirelessly to make the five-month programme successful, praying that their efforts would be accepted by Allah and rewarded.He said the competition was designed to encourage Quran memorisation, develop the talents of young huffaz, promote correct recitation and spread the teachings and values of the Holy Quran among the younger generation.Jamaat Assistant Secretary General and lawmaker Rafiqul Islam Khan described the programme as a memorable occasion in his life, saying he had not known of another initiative of such scale organised around the Holy Quran, even by a government.He welcomed the participation of scholars from Qawmi and Alia madrasas, as well as religious leaders, and called for the proper dissemination of Islam's teachings throughout the country.Addressing the gathering, Jamaat's Dhaka South Ameer and lawmaker Nurul Islam Bulbul described the event as a historic moment, saying the five-month competition had created a new beginning in recognising those who preserve the Holy Quran through memorisation.He said no one would be able to erase the Holy Quran, the word of Allah, who has promised to preserve it.Bulbul stressed that Quranic teachings should bring meaningful changes to individuals, families, society and the state. He called for preparing huffaz to help establish these teachings in society and expressed hope that Islamic scholars would play a greater role in national leadership in the future.Jamaat central working committee member Maulana Zainul Abedin also emphasised the importance of honouring those who know the Quran, believe in its teachings and follow its commandments. He urged the audience to work towards building a society illuminated by Quranic values.Mufti Ali Hasan Osama described the competition as a landmark event in Bangladesh's history, expressing satisfaction that huffaz and Islamic scholars were receiving greater recognition in the country.He said the initiative would achieve its full significance when huffaz and scholars took responsibility in different areas of national life, including state leadership and the leadership of the national mosque, and contributed to the country's progress.Nagar Unnayan Forum Vice-Chairman Abdur Rahman Musa said the gathering had strengthened their determination to work towards building a Bangladesh guided by the Holy Quran. He called for establishing Quranic principles in individual life, society and the state.Sheikh Hafiz Abdul Haque, chairman of Huffazul Quran Foundation Bangladesh and chief judge of the competition, praised the initiative and prayed for the organisers, particularly Selim Uddin, for arranging the five-month programme.Other speakers highlighted the importance of giving huffaz due recognition and creating an ethical, humane and just society based on the teachings of the Holy Quran.The organisers said the competition brought together students from Qawmi and Alia madrasas, reflecting the shared importance of the Holy Quran across different educational traditions.The event was attended by prominent personalities, Islamic scholars, Quran memorizers, contestants and their guardians.Among those present were Jamaat leaders and lawmakers Rafiqul Islam Khan and Nurul Islam Bulbul; central working committee member Maulana Zainul Abedin; Abdur Rahman Musa; retired Colonel Abdul Baten, MP; Mufti Ali Hasan Osama; and other party and forum leaders.The programme was conducted by Nagar Unnayan Forum Member Secretary and Jamaat's Dhaka North Secretary Dr Muhammad Rezaul Karim and Hafiz Khalid Saifullah Boksi.The organisers said the initiative sought to go beyond a conventional Quran competition by encouraging young people to memorise and recite the Holy Quran correctly and apply its teachings in their daily lives.The award ceremony concluded the five-month programme, with speakers expressing hope that the competition would inspire more young people to engage with the Holy Quran and contribute to building a society founded on moral values, justice and compassion.