Bangladeshi Youth Wins First Place in Quran Competition

A young scholar from Patuakhali has brought immense pride to Bangladesh by securing first place at the prestigious 46th King Abdulaziz International Quran Competition held in the holy city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia.

The extraordinary achievement of Hafez Nur Uddin Zakaria, a native of Bauphal Upazila, sent waves of jubilation through his home village on Thursday. The official results, announced on Wednesday evening, revealed that Zakaria triumphed in the fourth category of the global contest, outperforming hundreds of elite competitors representing one hundred and thirty-three nations.

Nur Uddin Zakaria is the son of Maulana Nurul Amin and Ianur Begum, residents of Chandkathi village within the Dhulia Union. He is the middle child in a family comprising two sisters and one brother. His journey into Quranic scholarship began at the tender age of six, when his maternal uncle, Hafez Qari Mohammad Rahmat Ullah, brought him to Dhaka. There, he enrolled in the hifz department of a local madrassah and successfully memorised the entire Holy Quran.

Seeking to pursue higher religious and academic education, Zakaria later enrolled at Al-Raihan International Madrasah in Demra, Dhaka, to complete his Alia degree. While studying at this institution, he prepared for and secured selection to represent Bangladesh at the international arena in Saudi Arabia, ultimately clinching the top global honour.

Local leaders and community members expressed immense pride in his accomplishment. Dhulia Union Parishad Acting Chairman Zahirul Islam remarked that the magnitude of the joy is difficult to put into words, noting that the entire community shares in the young scholar’s triumph. Huzaifa Islam, a local youth social worker, added that Zakaria’s historic victory serves as an inspiring role model for the younger generation, encouraging future youth to excel in Quranic studies.

Prominent figures, including local representatives, also rushed to extend their congratulations. Dr Shafiqul Islam Masud, Member of Parliament for the Patuakhali-2 (Bauphal) constituency, issued an official statement celebrating the victory. He praised Zakaria for bringing global recognition to Bauphal and commended his dedication on the international stage.

International Quran recitation and memorisation competitions, particularly the King Abdulaziz event in Saudi Arabia, represent some of the most rigorous and revered platforms for young Islamic scholars worldwide. Competitors are judged on strict criteria including flawless memorisation, precise rules of tajweed, and melodious delivery. Zakaria’s victory places him among the elite cohort of international reciters and marks a proud milestone for Bangladeshi youth on the global stage.

What preparations and training methods typically help young scholars succeed at elite international Quran competitions?