Masjid al-Haram is the destination for Mahmoud Hassan Ashrafi, an 18-year-old blind participant from Bangladesh, who qualified for the finals of the 46th King Abdulaziz International Competition for the Memorization, Recitation and Interpretation of the Holy Quran.
According to SPA, the competition is organized by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance. Ashrafi is competing in the third category of the event.
The participant secured his place among 20 qualifiers for Saudi Arabia after competing against approximately 2,000 male and female contestants during the preliminary stages in Bangladesh. Born blind, Ashrafi began memorizing the Quran at age seven and completed the entire text over three years relying solely on listening.
He memorized the verses by listening to various reciters, including the Imams of the Two Holy Mosques, and repeating the verses with the support of his father. Ashrafi stated that his blindness did not prevent his path with the Quran and that perseverance helps overcome challenges.
The source did not mention the specific dates of the final rounds.
Who is Mahmoud Hassan Ashrafi and why is he in Saudi Arabia? Mahmoud Hassan Ashrafi is an 18-year-old blind participant from Bangladesh who traveled to Saudi Arabia to compete in the 46th King Abdulaziz International Competition for the Memorization, Recitation and Interpretation of the Holy Quran. He is competing in the third category of the competition, which is organized by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance, and takes place at Masjid al-Haram.
How did the participant qualify for the international competition? Ashrafi qualified for the finals in Saudi Arabia by competing in the preliminary stages held in Bangladesh. He was one of 20 individuals selected to advance to the finals after competing against approximately 2,000 male and female participants. His journey to the competition represents the fulfillment of a long-held dream to visit Makkah and Masjid al-Haram.
How did the blind participant memorize the Holy Quran? Born blind, Ashrafi began the memorization process at the age of seven and completed the entire Quran within three years. He relied exclusively on listening to various reciters, including the Imams of the Two Holy Mosques, and repeating the verses. He was further supported in his memorization and review of the verses by his father.