Qatari youth: The Holy Quran Had Positively Affected My Life, behaviour and ethics

“There is kind of a special friendship between me and the Holy Quran.”These words best describe the intimate relationship between the holy book and the 21-year old Qatari contestant Anas Hashim Al Mashhadani who is participating in the 17th session of the Dubai International Holy Quran.Talking to Khaleej Times, the engineering student said he had always been proud of sticking to the Holy Quran since his early childhood. “I started my journey with the Holy Quran when I was at nursery school, and I memorised five parts of the Quran when I was nine.”The Holy Quran was a gift from the Almighty Allah that had positively affected Mashhadani’s life, behaviour and ethics, he said. “He who memorises the Holy Quran is supported and blessed by Allah in life and the Hereafter... The Quran has sharpened my memory and enhanced my academic performance.”Mashhadani then joined a Quran Study Centre where he memorised the Furqan Quran in full at the age of 13, when he was in Grade 8.Elaborating, he said he used to memorise one-and-a-half to two pages of the Quran everyday, apart from daily regular review of one part.“My family, particularly my brothers and sisters, have always been backing and encouraging me to memorise the Quran, and test my memory, offering me a lift to the Holy Quran Centre which is far away from home.”Mashhadani said he had eight brothers and sisters. “I feel we are blessed that my elder brother fully memorised the Quran as well.”Showing good performance, he participated in five local Quran contestants, mainly the Sheikh Jassim and Sheikh Ghanim Al Thani contests.“I have also participated in international Quran contests and represented Qatar in Egypt twice, as well as Jordan, Libya, Iran, Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and now in the Dubai International Holy Quran Award.”As is the case every year, a contest is held to pick the top memoriser to represent the country. This year, Mashhadani was selected for the Dubai Award while others were sent to other international competitions. “I wish to come first in this award, best represent my country, and be a competent scholar in the future.”Giving advice to his fellow Qataris, Mashhadani urged them to stick to the Quran. “It is an honour to memorise the Quran... and mediate for his family and friends in the Dooms Day.”/129