Islamabad, November 29, 2025: The inaugural International Qirat Competition concluded on Saturday in Islamabad with Malaysia’s Aiman Ridhwan Bin Mohammad Ramlan clinching first place, while Iran’s Adnan Momeninkhamiseh and Pakistan’s Qari Abdul Rasheed secured second and third positions, respectively.
Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Muhammad Yousuf described the event as a powerful symbol of unity, peace, and global solidarity, highlighting that participation from 37 Islamic countries reflects the growing spiritual and cultural ties among Muslim nations.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, the minister said the successful organization of such a large-scale spiritual event marks a significant achievement for the government and announced that the competition would continue in the coming years. “Events of this nature help promote and spread the true message of the Holy Quran,” he said.
Sardar Yousuf emphasized that the Quran brings peace and comfort to the heart and noted that Pakistan’s creation is spiritually linked to the holy book, as the country was established on the 27th of Ramzan, the date when the Quran was first revealed. “We should live our lives according to the teachings of the Quran,” he added.
The minister also highlighted government efforts to revive key religious initiatives that had been discontinued by previous administrations, originally launched during Nawaz Sharif’s tenure, including reforms in the Salat and congregational prayer system, implemented in consultation with scholars nationwide.
He underlined the importance of understanding the Quran, noting that while many Pakistanis recite it, most do not fully comprehend its meaning. Sardar Yousuf stressed the need to learn Arabic, describing it as the religious language of Muslims, and said the ministry is coordinating with universities to promote Arabic education across the country.
“Peace in Pakistan and across the world can be achieved through the teachings of the Quran and the exemplary character of the Holy Prophet (PBUH),” he added. He also revealed that next year’s competition will invite participants from all countries with Muslim populations, expanding beyond Muslim-majority nations.
Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar attended the closing ceremony and presented prizes and shields to the top six contenders.
- First Place: Aiman Ridhwan Bin Mohammad Ramlan (Malaysia) – 5 million rupees
- Second Place: Adnan Momeninkhamiseh (Iran) – 3 million rupees
- Third Place: Qari Abdul Rasheed (Pakistan) – 2 million rupees
- Fourth to Sixth Place: Competitors from Afghanistan, Indonesia, and Morocco – 200,000 rupees each
The competition, held from November 24 to 29, marked Pakistan’s first international Qirat contest and drew widespread attention from the global Muslim community, reinforcing the country’s role in promoting Islamic values and interfaith harmony.
