A 19-year-old woman from Gombe State, Hajara Ibrahim
Dan’azumi, has emerged as the overall winner of the
Women’s International Hashemite Competition for
Memorisation of the Holy Qur’an.
Hajara Dan’azumi, a 200-level Botany student at the Gombe
State University (GSU), beat 40 other contestants from 38
countries to clinch the first position at the 18th edition of
the competition held in the Kingdom of Jordan.
The student of Abubakar Siddiq Islamiyya School in Gombe
was selected to represent Nigeria at the competition and
emerged as the overall winner among other contestants in
the 60 Hizb with Tajwid category.
The competition was organised by the Ministry of
Endowments and Islamic Affairs of Jordan between February 17 and 22, 2024.
Hajara achieved an impressive score of 99.5, making
Nigeria the overall winner of the 18th edition of the
competition among the 40 participating countries.
Our correspondent reports that in 2020, Hajara Dan’azumi
obtained 4th position in 40 Hizb with a score of 97.1 at the
34th National Qur’anic Recitation Competition held in
Lagos State.
Her other siblings, Safiyya Dan’azumi clinched 8th position
in 20 Hizb, while Maryam Dan’azumi clinched 1st position
in 10 Hizb with Tangeem in the female categories at the
Lagos edition.
A total of 41 contestants from 39 countries participated in
the Jordan competition, which is organised under Royal
patronage, showcasing interest and appreciation for the
Qur’an as a guide in life.
The competition, launched in 1993, is one of the oldest
international competitions that has so far attracted 30,000
male and female participants worldwide.
Meanwhile, Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya expressed
excitement upon learning of the outstanding victory of the
young girl from Gombe State.
The governor conveyed his heartfelt congratulations to
Hajara Dan’azumi, her family and teachers and praised her
hard work and commitment to mastering the Qur’an.
He said the young girl’s achievement would serve as an
inspiration to countless others in Gombe and beyond.
He further stressed the importance of nurturing and
supporting the educational pursuits of young people,
particularly in the realm of religious studies, which he said,
“play a vital role in shaping their character and contributing
to the development of the society.”
“I am deeply proud of our Hajara’s exceptional
achievement on the global stage. Her triumph exemplifies
the vibrant academic heritage of Gombe State. Her victory
brings pride not just to us in Gombe, but to Nigeria as a
whole.
“I am convinced that this feat will inspire numerous others,
particularly our young girls,” Governor Yahaya said.
