The winners of the recent Quranic Recitation Competition for girls sponsored by the Gambian leader were Wednesday awarded with cash amounts at a ceremony held at the July 22nd Square in Banjul.

The four winners in the persons of Ma Tida Drammeh, daughter of the ex-Supreme Islamic Council president, Alhaji Banding Drammeh, who took first position went home with D250, 000; Mariam Abdourahman Jallow, who came second got D200, 000; while Mariam Adam Ndong and Ndey Yassin Ceesay who came third and fourth took home D150, 000 and D100, 000 respectively.  The awardees were also given the opportunity to recite verses from the Holy Quran before the gathering.

Speaking at the ceremony, Imam Fatty of the State House Mosque commended the efforts of President Jammeh, adding that the Quranic Memorisation Competition has brought a lot of positive changes in society. He thanked the participating schools and congratulated the winners, noting that the competition was done in a free and fair manner.

Imam Fatty also spoke on the importance of women continuing their Quranic memorisation after marriage especially those who didn’t have the opportunity to do so during their youthful age. He stressed that it is the responsibility of the husbands to not only clothe, feed and provide shelter for their wives, but also ensure that they continue reading the Holy Quran.

Fatou Lamin Faye, the minister of Basic and Secondary Education expressed her sincere appreciation for the initiative championed by President Jammeh. She described the competition as a plus to the country’s education sector adding that it will also ensure discipline in students.

For his part, Muhammed Lamin Touray, the president of the Gambia Supreme Islamic Council, thanked Allah for such a glorious day.

In his words: “When most people across the globe are afraid of raising the Holy Quran high, President Jammeh did so. His awards to winners emphasise the importance of such a competition to him and it is also another way of enhancing and promoting Islam.”

Touray further stated that the learning and recitation of the Holy Quran is vital and incumbent on both men and women adding that President Jammeh has opened the door to all Islamic and Quranic centres to participate.

Other speakers at the ceremony included Fatou Gaye, the minister of Forestry and the Environment; and Sheikh Ibrahim Jarju from the organising committee, among others.