Kanagawa Hosts Regional Round of International Qur'an Recitation Competition

The Kanagawa regional round of the International Qur'an Recitation Competition 2026 was held on the evening of Saturday, August 22, after Maghrib prayers at Sagamihara Eidgah Mosque. Organized by the Islamic Cultural Foundation Japan and hosted by Islamic Mission Japan's Kanagawa Branch, the event aimed to nurture children's love for the Qur'an and encourage accurate, beautiful recitation.

Hafez Maulana Saber Ahmed, Central President of Islamic Mission Japan, attended as chief guest. He urged children to devote greater attention to Islamic education while also respecting Japan's laws and social norms as responsible citizens. He further spoke on the life of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, encouraging attendees to shape their lives by following his example in every sphere of life.

Media personality and parenting expert Atikur Rahman also attended, leading a discussion with parents after the competition on maintaining Muslim identity and values among children growing up in Japan. Parents raised the challenges and opportunities involved in preserving their children's Islamic upbringing in a Japanese social context. The event was chaired by Engineer Showkat Akbar, President of the Kanagawa Branch, and conducted by branch secretary Abdullah Muhammad Saleh.

The competition was held across three age groups, with winners recognized in each category and consolation prizes given to all participants to encourage their efforts. Based on their performance, six competitors — Umair Hasan Sinan, Ali Avin, Shabib Salihan, Afsara Binte Zahir, Fariha Rimi, and Sajjad Ghazi — were selected to represent Kanagawa in the upcoming national final round. Parents in attendance expressed strong support for more frequent Qur'an-based educational programs, calling them vital to strengthening Islamic values and identity among children raised in Japan. The event concluded with a special dinner.