DAR ES SALAAM .
By Kauki Sulaiman
His Eminence Dr. Sheikh Hafiz Muhammad Harunah Bukenya, the 2nd Deputy Mufti, was among the renowned adjudicators at an international Holy Qur’an competition organized by Al-Hikma Foundation. The event was held at the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam on Sunday, March 1, 2026.
Dr. Sheikh Bukenya travelled from London, where he is currently hosted for the entire holy month of Ramadhan as a night prayer leader for the special Taraweeh prayers.
According to media reports from Tanzania, the annual event attracted hundreds of thousands of well-dressed Muslim faithful from all walks of life. The competition was graced by several dignitaries, including H.E. Dr. Hussein Ali Mwinyi, the President of Zanzibar; Hon. Kassim Majaliwa, the Prime Minister of Tanzania; and His Eminence Dr. Sheikh Abubakar Zubair Ali, the Grand Mufti of Tanzania, among others.
Reports indicate that the large crowd was filled with excitement as they listened to the melodious recitations by competitors from different countries. At the end of the competition, the winners were announced in the following order
a) Abdu-Rahman Yasser, a 13-year-old Ugandan national – First Runner-up
b) Muhammad Mustafa, a 20-year-old Canadian national – Second Runner-up
c) Shuaib Muhammad Shafii, a 25-year-old Swedish national – Third Runner-up
d) Bilal Ahmad from Mexico – Fourth Place
All the competitors received gifts and presents in recognition of their exceptional talent in memorizing the Holy Qur’an.