Gamo-Koshigaya Audition Held for International Qur'an Recitation and Hifz Competition

The Gamo-Koshigaya regional audition of the 2026 International Qur'an Recitation and Hifz Competition, organized by the Islamic Cultural Foundation Japan, was held on Sunday afternoon at Baitul Aman Masjid Complex. The session was hosted by Shah Jamal and Delowar Hossain, with overall arrangements led by Shaheen Ali.

More than 80 children and young people competed in the two categories of Qur'an recitation and Hifz (memorization). Imams and khatibs from mosques across Tokyo and Saitama served as judges, assessing contestants on recitation, makharij (articulation points), tajweed, voice quality and memorization skills to select first, second and third place winners in each category.

Before the prize distribution, a discussion session addressed the upbringing of Muslim children in Japan, the importance of upholding Islamic practice in an unfamiliar social environment, and the role of the Qur'an in shaping the younger generation. Speakers included Islamic Mission Japan's Central President Hafez Maulana Saber Ahmed and Atiqur Rahman, director of Young Muslim Japan and editor of Japan Bangla News, among other Islamic scholars.

Speakers said competitions of this kind play an important role in connecting children growing up abroad with the Qur'an and Islamic values, expressing hope that the event will further encourage young participants to pursue Qur'an learning, recitation and memorization. Winners and selected competitors received prizes and certificates at the close of the program. Following regional rounds held across Japan, the competition's grand final is scheduled for Sunday, 30 August 2026, from 2:00 p.m. at Baitul Aman Masjid Complex, where one contestant from every eight selected regionally will advance to compete for the overall title.