Faizel Patel, Radio Islam News, 2014-11-20

A Cape Town youngster has won first prize in the annual Abdul Aziz International Quran Memorization competition in Makkah out of 44 countries.
 
“Today is a very, very exciting day for South Africans. Alhamdulillah they made so much dua, all our South African communities and we got one first prize,” said Qari Basheer Patel a South African coordinator  of the South African National Qur’an Comeptition (SANQA) told Radio Islam

11 year old Igsaan Bassadien took gold in the five juz category on Wednesday, after wowing judges with his confidence and beautiful recitation of the glorious Qur’an.

Moulana Mohammad Seedat, the national coordinator of SANQA told Voice of the Cape, fellow contestants Adeeb Harneker from Cape Town and Mohammed Bhamjee from Nelspruit performed very well and reached the final stages of the competition.

“Alhamdulillah, we have to congratulate all three participants, their parents and ustaadhs, for the sterling work and effort they have put into their children,” said Seedat.

According to Voice of the Cape, Igsaan’s mother Faldeela Bassadien was elated upon hearing the news and filled with tears. Her husband is accompanying their son to the competition in the Masjid al Haram.

The international Quran competition was broadcast on both TV and nationally and internationally.

The students will be treated to a tour around Makkah and then two days in Madinah and are expected to return home on Monday.

(Twitter: @Faizie143)