NOUAKCHOTT — The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman Competition for Memorizing the Holy Qur'an and the Prophetic Sunnah in West Africa concluded its first edition in Mauritania on Friday. The closing ceremony, held in the Mauritanian capital, was attended by Saudi Ambassador to Mauritania Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Raqabi, Grand Mufti of Mauritania Sheikh Ahmed Ould Murabit, Mauritanian officials, and Arab and Muslim diplomatic figures. In a recorded speech, Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance Sheikh Abdullatif Al-Sheikh expressed gratitude to Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani for hosting the competition, in which 136 contestants from 16 West African countries took part. Al-Raqabi emphasized the competition's role in promoting the memorization and recitation of the Qur'an and Sunnah throughout the Islamic world. Secretary General of the Mauritanian Ministry of Islamic Affairs and Original Education Dr. Beyte Allah Ahmed Leswed praised Saudi Arabia's leadership for its endeavors in support of Qur'an and Sunnah memorization and for serving Islam and Muslims all over the world. Meanwhile, President of the African Scholars Forum and of the Islamic Cultural Association in Mauritania and West Africa Sheikh Mohamed Al-Hafiz Al-Nahawi announced that the main hall of the Holy Qur'an House in Mauritania was named after Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman in recognition of his great efforts in the service of the Muslim world. Sheikh Al-Nahawi emphasized that the gesture is a reflection of the solid relations between the two friendly countries, and of the Kingdom's leadership role in the Islamic world. He praised the Saudi leadership for organizing the competition in Mauritania. He also expressed appreciation for the role played by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance in disseminating the teachings of the Qur'an and Sunnah, for supervising the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Competition for Memorizing the Holy Qur'an and the Prophetic Sunnah in West Africa.
