Gombe Student Wins N120m Prize at Saudi Qur'anic Competition

Maryam Ibrahim Dan-Azumi, enrolled at Abubakar Siddiq Community Islamic School for Qur'anic Memorisation in Gombe, has triumphed at the 46th King Abdulaziz International Qur'an Recitation Competition. The event took place in Makkah, Saudi Arabia.

Her prize totalled 300,000 Saudi Riyal, worth N120 million. The competition category in which she participated demanded mastery of 60 Qur'anic portions, flawless recitation using Tajweed principles, and textual interpretation skills.

Dan-Azumi represented Nigeria alone at this prestigious gathering. She outperformed rivals hailing from 132 additional nations.

On Friday, President Bola Tinubu released remarks honouring her success and characterising it as a matter of national pride. Through a statement released by Bayo Onanuga, his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, the President lauded her exceptional grasp of the Holy Qur'an demonstrated on the world stage.

Gombe State Governor Muhammadu Yahaya also commended this milestone, noting its value to the region's educational advancement and to women's roles in theological studies. The Abubakar Siddiq school, situated in Herwagana Quarters of Gombe, focuses exclusively on Qur'anic memorisation instruction.

Held yearly in Islam's holiest metropolis, the King Abdulaziz competition attracts entrants throughout the Muslim-majority regions globally. Assessment criteria include accuracy in memorisation, adherence to Islamic phonetic recitation standards, and comprehension of the Qur'an's meanings alongside their practical applications.