Nine children of Nagad Uddoktas won the grand finale of “Sontaner Konthe Quran Tilawat”, a Quran recitation competition organised by Nagad Islamic an initiative of Nagad Ltd.
The winners were selected through a rigorous evaluation process from nearly 3,000 contestants across 10 regions in Bangladesh, said a press release on Sunday.
The competition was launched on 5 February and concluded with a finale at Hotel Sheraton in Dhaka on 28 July.
Thirty finalists performed live before a panel of judges comprising Hafez Maulana Masum Billah, Maulana Gazi Sanaullah Rahmani, Maulana Hafez Kazi Maruf Billah, and HM Shahidul Islam Barakati, who chairs Nagad Islamic Shariah Supervisory Committee.
Winners were selected across three age categories. In Group A, Nusaiba (child of Md Shihab Uddin, Dhaka North) took first place, followed by Humaira Jannat Gulfam (child of Mizanur Rahman, Mymensingh) and Md Salman R Rahman (child of Saifur Rahman, Sylhet).
In Group B, Mohammad Khalid Talukder (child of Mohammad Emdadul Haque, Barishal) won, with Mariyam Akhtar (child of Afsar Hossain, Sylhet) and Md Abu Raiyan Prodhan (child of Mohammad Omar Faruk Prodhan, Rangpur) placing second and third places respectively.
In Group C, Abidur Rahman Yasin (child of Mohammad Dulal, Mymensingh) secured first, followed by Riyamul Islam (child of Mohammad Manju, Cumilla) and Mohammad Jamilus Siam (child of Mohammad Faruk, Khulna).
First prize carried Tk50,001, second Tk30,001 and third Tk20,001, along with crests and certificates. Each of the 30 finalists received Tk10,000 and a certificate, while 60 regional winners received special certificates. Contestants were judged on articulation, Tajweed adherence, accuracy, voice quality and presentation.
Nagad Administrator Md Motasem Billah said the initiative had built strong bonds within the Nagad family and announced that six madrasa graduates would be recruited as territory managers to integrate them into the mainstream.
Shahidul Islam Barakati said the event encouraged children to learn accurate recitation and lead disciplined lives, adding that Nagad Islamic planned to expand such initiatives.
Senior officials including Anwar Ullah, Mohummed Shahin Sarwar Bhuiyan, Lt Col (retd) Md Kousar Soukat Ali and HUM Mehedi Sajjad attended the event.
