Nine children of Nagad Uddoktas emerged as winners at the grand finale of Nagad Islamic’s Quran recitation competition, “Sontaner Konthe Quran Tilawat.”
The winners were selected as the best of the best through a rigorous evaluation process from nearly 3,000 contestants across 10 regions nationwide.
Organised by Nagad Ltd. under the initiative of Nagad Islamic to spread religious and moral values among the younger generation, the competition kicked off on February 5 and concluded with a grand finale held at Hotel Sheraton in Dhaka on July 28.
Nagad Administrator Md Motasem Billah, Associate Administrator Anwar Ullah, Chief Commercial Officer of Nagad Mohummed Shahin Sarwar Bhuiyan, Chief Business Support and Service Assurance Officer Lt Col Md Kousar Soukat Ali (retd), and head of marketing HUM Mehedi Sajjad, along with other senior officials of the organisation, attended the event.
The Holy Quran Recitation Competition was judged by Hafez Maulana Masum Billah, Imam and Khatib of Banani Central Jame Mosque; Maulana Gazi Sanaullah Rahmani, prominent media commentator, Khatib and Islamic scholar; Alhaj Maulana Hafez Kazi Maruf Billah, Islamic scholar and commentator on Bangladesh Betar and Bangladesh Television; and Prof HM Shahidul Islam Barakati, chairman of the Nagad Islamic Shariah Supervisory Committee.
In the Grand Finale, 30 contestants performed live Quran recitation before the panel of judges. From each age category, the top three contestants were selected, making a total of nine winners who secured the first, second and third positions.
The first prize carried a cash award of Tk50,001, the second prize Tk30,001 and the third prize Tk20,001, along with a crest and certificate.
In addition, each of the 30 finalists received an honorarium of Tk10,000 and a certificate of recognition.
The remaining 60 regional winners were awarded special certificates.
The contestants were evaluated across five criteria: Shuddho Makhraj (letter articulation), Tajweed adherence, accuracy of recitation, voice quality, and overall presentation.
Speaking on the occasion, Nagad Administrator Md. Motasem Billah said: “I thank everyone involved in organising this event through Nagad Islamic. Beyond promoting Islamic culture, this initiative has built a strong bond within the extended Nagad family.”
He further announced: “In the coming days, Nagad will recruit six Madrasa graduates as territory managers, with the primary objective of integrating them into the mainstream.”
The competition was structured into three categories: Group A, Group B, and Group C. In Group A, Nusaiba, child of Md. Shihab Uddin from Dhaka North Region, secured first place.
Humaira Jannat Gulfam, child of Mizanur Rahman from Mymensingh Region, and Md. Salman R. Rahman, child of Saifur Rahman from Sylhet Region, got second and third places respectively.
In Group B, Mohammad Khalid Talukder, child of Mohammad Emdadul Haque from Barishal Region, attained first place.
Mariyam Akhtar, child of Afsar Hossain from Sylhet Region, and Md. Abu Raiyan Prodhan, child of Mohammad Omar Faruk Prodhan from Rangpur Region, achieved second and third places respectively.
In Group C, Abidur Rahman Yasin, child of Mohammad Dulal from Mymensingh Region, obtained first place. Riyamul Islam, child of Mohammad Manju from Cumilla Region, and Mohammad Jamilus Siam, child of Mohammad Faruk from Khulna Region, secured second and third places respectively.
Nagad Islamic Shariah Supervisory Committee Chairman Prof HM Shahidul Islam Barakati said: “This initiative aims to encourage children to learn accurate Quranic recitation from an early age and inspire them to lead disciplined and moral lives. Nagad Islamic has organised similar events in the past, and we believe its scope will expand further in the coming days.”
