RECITATION and memorisation of the Holy Qur'an helps the mental development of young people, Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq of Kwara State has said.

The governor spoke on Sunday in Ilorin at the closing ceremony of the Qur'an and Hadith Competition organised by the Cultural Attache Office of the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia (Abuja) and As-Sunnah Academy of Da'awah and Research, Ilorin, Kwara State.

The competition involved six categories, each featuring brilliant reciters and memorisers of the Qur'an and Hadith.

The governor was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Mamman Saba Jibril.

The governor told newsmen on the sideline of the event that it was imperative for Muslims, particularly youths, to pursue the knowledge of Qur'an and Hadith and memorise them to advance the cause of Islam and to guide their ways of life.

Abdulrazaq described the Qur'an as the root of all knowledge and asked the faithful to dedicate themselves to the regular study of the holy book.

He pledged the commitment of his government to creating an atmosphere that promotes peace and harmony among all faiths in the state.

Dignitaries at the event included the Cultural Attache of the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Nigeria and chief host, Dr Nami Ibn Jaarillah Asshamari; Grand Khadi of the Kwara State Shari'a Court of Appeal and chairman of the occasion, Justice Abdullateef Kamaldeen Al-Adabiy; the state Commissioner for Education, Sa'adatu Modibbo Kawu; Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Rafiu Ajakaye; and representative of the Emir of Ilorin and former Grand Khadi of the state Shari'a Court of Appeal, Justice Idris Haroon.

Others were the Danmadami Ilorin, Alhaji Shehu AbdulGafar; Vice Chancellor, University of Ilorin, Professor Wahab Egbewole; acting Vice Chancellor, Kwara State University (KWASU), Professor Lukman Jimoh; and Director of As-Sunnah Academy of Dawah and Research, Kwara State and Chairman, Local Organising Committee, Professor Abdulrazaq AbdulMajeed Alaro.

The event was also attended traditional rulers and Muslim leaders such as the Olupako of Share, Oba Haroon Olawale; the Olomu of Omu-Aran, Oba Raheem Oladele Adeoti; the Olomu of Omupo, Oba Yakubu Buari; the Chief Imam of Ilorin, Sheikh Muhammad Bashir Soliu; Imam Imale, Sheikh Abdullahi AbdulHameed; and chairman of the Muslim Stakeholders, Alhaji Abdulkareem Albarka.

Dr Nami Ibn Jaarullah Asshamari said the competition was a testament to the dedication of Saudi Arabia to the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad.

He said Saudi Arabia was committed to strengthening the foundations for peaceful coexistence among the people of the world and to showcasing Islam based on the guidance of the Qur'an and the Sunnah.

“Dear noble gathering, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is constantly working to serve the interests of Islam and Muslims wherever they may be. It is also committed to fostering the foundations of peaceful coexistence among the people of the world and to showcasing the true voice of Islam based on the guidance of the Quran and the Sunnah, free from all forms of extremism, excess, negligence, and decay, in line with the words of Allah, the Almighty,” he said.

He thanked the governor and traditional rulers for creating a suitable environment for hosting the competition and the organising committee for making the ceremony a success.

Justice Kamaldeen, in a remark, described the gathering as a scholarly one that not only recognised the importance of Qur'an but also honoured the committed memorisers “whose efforts and commitment cannot be overemphasised.”

Professor Alaro said the event served to spur mental development and positive exposure, especially among the youth.

“This programme is principally organised to encourage our youths of different ages to use their God-given mental ability in positive ways. From experience, whoever Allah has blessed to memorise the complete Qur'an will find other things in life in terms of educational achievements easier. And it is a way of using what Allah has given you in positive ways.

“We also want to strengthen the relationship between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he said.