Doha, Qatar: A delegation from the Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammed bin Thani Quran Competition, organised by the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs took part in the 17th edition of the Quran Memorisation and Recitation Competition organised by the Islamic Community in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The competition, hosted by the Department of Religious Affairs under the leadership of the Grand Mufti, opened on Saturday, September 6, 2025, at the Gazi Husrev-beg Library in Sarajevo, and will continue over two days at the Islamic Community’s Student Centre. The opening ceremony was attended by an official Qatari delegation headed by Ahmed bin Shaheen Al-Ghanim, Director of Public Relations and Communication at the Ministry of Awqaf and a member of the organising committee of the Sheikh Jassim Competition.
The delegation also included Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Abdulaziz Al-Thani, Assistant Director of the Da‘wah and Religious Guidance Department and a member of the competition’s organising committee. The ceremony was also attended by H E Mishaal bin Ali Al-Attiyah, Ambassador of the State of Qatar to Bosnia and Herzegovina.
During the event, the Grand Mufti of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Sheikh Husein Kavazović, officially inaugurated the competition, stressing that the Holy Quran is not only a book to be recited but also a way of life and an endless source of guidance, knowledge, and moral values. He described it as the eternal word of God that provides faith, wisdom, and ethical standards that shape individuals and societies, adding that preserving and spreading the teachings of the Quran is one of the noblest duties of its memorisers.
Speaking on behalf of the Qatari delegation, Ahmed Al-Ghanim praised the competition as a beacon of Quranic enlightenment in Europe and a message of brotherhood that reflects Qatar’s commitment to supporting initiatives that promote the memorisation, recitation, and reflection on the holy Quran. He noted that such contests hold special value as they bring together young people who memorise and study the Quran, highlighting Qatar’s continuous support for Quranic initiatives as a sign of the strong bonds of friendship with Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Dr. Hafiz Mansur Malkić, Director of the Department of Religious Affairs in Bosnia and Herzegovina, explained that the competition resumed two years ago after being suspended for several years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He emphasised that its purpose is to strengthen the role of Quran memorisation and recitation in Bosnia while encouraging youth to compete, exchange experiences, and prepare for international contests.
