150 students compete in Quran Contest in Massachusetts

The fourth annual New England Qira’atul Quran Contest was held on Saturday at the Islamic Center of Boston in Wayland. Approximately 150 Muslim students, ages 6 and

The fourth annual New England Qira’atul Quran Contest was held on Saturday at the Islamic Center of Boston in Wayland. Approximately 150 Muslim students, ages 6 and older, came from across Massachusetts and beyond to participate.

All proceeds benefited organizers Helping Hand for Relief and Development, a Michigan-based nonprofit that responds to emergency and disaster situations around the world.

It drew the largest number of pupils ready to test their memorization of the Quran, Islam’s holy book, since the competition was first held in 2015, said Humayun Kabeer, the group’s New England Regional Coordinator.

“The Quran, it is basically our way of life. It has everything and anything to do with life in it,” said Kabeer. “It’s a challenge and sometimes people shy away from it. So, we started this competition to get the youth closer to God, closer to the Quran.”

According to Muslim tradition, the Quran was first revealed to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) by angel Gabriel, who recited verses to him over about 20 years. He recited those verses to a growing group of followers in Mecca.

For centuries, Muslims have believed the best way to preserve the meaning of the book is to memorize it as they believe it was first revealed.