Quranic recitation competition launched for children in Tanzania

A new Quranic recitation competition, 'Sauti za Dhahabu' (Golden Voices), has been launched in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, aiming to instill strong moral values in children through religious education. The competition is open to pre-pubescent boys and girls and encourages parents to enroll their children who can recite the Quran with proper tajwid (pronunciation rules) and articulation.

Organizers highlighted the initiative as a response to the challenges posed by modern technology and social media, which are often cited as contributing to moral decline among youth. Abubakar Ali, the competition's coordinator, stated the goal is to "build a generation that knows God from childhood." He believes that a strong foundation in the Quran from a young age significantly increases a child's chances of developing good character.

The competition, organized by Africa TV, will commence on August 1 in Dar es Salaam and is expected to expand to other regions. It is scheduled to run for one month before the finals. The primary objective is to discover, identify, and nurture talents in reciting the Holy Quran, emphasizing correct pronunciation, tajwid, and beautiful voice, while also guiding children in good morals.

A total of 10 million Tanzanian shillings has been set aside for the top three winners: 5 million for the first place, 3 million for the second, and 2 million for the third. The competition format is described as similar to 'Quran Star Search,' with seven judges evaluating participants. The initial phase will take place in five mosques in Dar es Salaam, starting August 1 at Kichangani Mosque, with preliminary screenings held every Saturday and Sunday.