The Umayyad Mosque in Damascus hosted this evening a ceremony honoring the winners of the first “Victory Quranic” competition after liberation, dedicated to members of the Ministries of Interior and Defense. The ceremony honored 31 winners in the presence of Minister of Awqaf Dr. Mohammad Abu Al-Khair Shukri, Governor of Damascus Maher Marwan Idlibi, Deputy Minister of Defense Major General Mohammad Khair Hassan Shuayb, Assistant Minister of Interior for Police Affairs Major General Ahmad Latoof, along with a number of senior religious scholars.

The Minister of Awqaf opened the ceremony by praying for the souls of the martyrs and wishing a speedy recovery for the wounded, emphasizing that “the Quran is a way of life that guides to the best path.” He said, “From this great Umayyad mosque, the companions spread the values of peace and coexistence, and today’s Quran bearers are a continuation of that message.” The Deputy Minister of Defense congratulated the winners, describing the Holy Quran as “an everlasting treasure and a light that illuminates the paths of life,” noting that “memorizing and contemplating it strengthens national belonging.” Meanwhile, the Assistant Minister of Interior blessed the achievement, considering that “this excellence is the beginning of a new giving in the service of religion and homeland,” thanking the teachers and scholars who contributed to the success of the competition.

The member of the Supreme Fatwa Council Sheikh Mohammad Naeem Arqsoosi pointed out that “the belonging of the Quran bearers to the ranks of the army and interior is a guarantee of their commitment to protect the country and its people,” affirming that “this gives the nation reassurance about its future.” The competition supervisor Haitham Ajoum explained that the competition included six memorization tracks (the entire Quran, 20 parts, 15 parts, 10 parts, 5 parts, 3 parts), noting that it was “the first after liberation, announced on March 18 under the slogan ‘Loyalty to the heroes of victory and liberation,’ coinciding with the month of Ramadan (1446 AH).”