Ljubljana: The ninth edition of the "Generation of the Quran" competition concluded in the Slovenian capital, Ljubljana, drawing more than a thousand participants, including students of all ages, parents, and teachers of Arabic and Qur'anic studies. The celebration took place at the Islamic Cultural Center and is considered one of the most prominent annual Islamic events in Slovenia.
This year's competition was held under the official patronage of the Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammed bin Thani Qur'an Competition, affiliated with the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs in the State of Qatar. As the exclusive sponsor and primary supporter of the event since its inception in 2015, Qatar continues its commitment for the ninth consecutive year, affirming its mission to promote the learning and teaching of the Holy Qur'an among non-Arabic-speaking Muslims.
An official delegation from the organizing committee of the Sheikh Jassim Competition attended the event, supervised the organization, participated in the closing ceremony, and reviewed preparations for the upcoming edition, reflecting the strength of cultural and religious cooperation between Qatar and Slovenia.
Organized annually under the supervision of the Islamic Community in Slovenia, the competition involves 18 Qur'anic educational centers spread across cities and villages. Participants receive weekly lessons in Qur'an memorization and comprehension, alongside studies in Islamic creed ('Aqidah), the Prophet's biography (Sirah), and Islamic ethics, all aimed at strengthening the Islamic identity of youth and equipping them intellectually and spiritually in a multicultural society.
This year's theme focused on "The Morals of a Muslim in the Qur'an and Sunnah", and included eight categories covering the biography of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), the lives of the Companions, the pillars of Islam, Islamic creed, and the ethics of a Muslim as mentioned in the Qur'an. Participants also competed in memorization of Qur'anic chapters ranging from Al-Qari'ah to An-Nas, and from Ad-Duha to An-Nas, with a total of 139 male and female contestants.
The closing ceremony featured individual and group Qur'anic recitations, educational video presentations, and religious chants in both Arabic and Bosnian. There were also interactive activities for children. More than 50 winners were honored with cash prizes, copies of the Qur'an, and certificates of appreciation. In addition, teachers and supervisors were recognized, and a special sports day was organized for students and their families.
In his remarks during the ceremony, Grand Mufti of Slovenia, Sheikh Nevzet Poric, expressed his deep gratitude to the State of Qatar for its continued support, praising the Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammed bin Thani Competition for its distinguished role in serving the Qur'an and strengthening Islamic identity across Europe.
For his part, Fahad Al Mohannadi, head of the Qatari delegation, expressed his pride in participating in the event, emphasizing the importance of such initiatives in instilling a love for the Qur'an among younger generations and fostering a deeply rooted religious awareness and a balanced Islamic identity.
This competition is part of the broader religious and cultural initiatives supported by the State of Qatar in Slovenia, most notably the Islamic Cultural Center in Ljubljana. The center features educational, cultural, and sports facilities and hosts around 700 children weekly in various educational, cultural, and recreational programs. It also welcomes school visits aimed at introducing students to Islam and its cultural values.
The Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammed bin Thani Qur'an Competition continues to play a leading global role in supporting Qur'anic education and organizing Qur'an competitions worldwide, as part of Qatar's vision to promote a moderate Islamic identity and build bridges of cultural and religious dialogue between nations.
