“His vision was that Qur’an should not be confined only to discussion, but to be an approach for a comprehensive study of jurisprudence science and religion,” Princess Hessa said.
At the closing session of the 14th ceremony of Prince Salman Contest for Memorization, Recitation and Interpretation of the Qur’an for Girls, the princess told Arab News that Prince Salman Contest allows women participation in all spheres, as the future participation in the Saudi Shoura Council comes as a breakthrough.
“The support of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques for women to enter the Consultative Council is a surprise that transcends women driving cars,” Princess Hessa said.
The princess also hoped to see women defending and pleading in courts. She called on the winners to not only memorize the Qur’an, but also to make it supportive in their research in all scientific fields. The princess said sponsoring this event is a pleasure for her. She expressed her happiness for the winners and appealed to Allah to light up their ways in this world and the hereafter.
She said, “Qur’an is not for memorizing only, but for applying its rules in our daily life.”
Deputy Minister of Education for Girls Affairs Norah Al-Fayez, said, “This is the harvest of the efforts of Prince Salman’s care for the Qur’an and its people.” She said: “The Qur’an Memorizing Contest is the outcome of the interest of Prince Salman.”
She praised Princess Hessa as a descendant of a religious family that cares very much for the Qur’an and its students.
Fifteen girls won prizes valued about SR554,046. The winners of the contest expressed their happiness at the patronage of Princess Hessa. They said "caring for the Qur’an increased in the last few years.”
Asma’a Al Sa’doun, a winner, said, “The class that used to contain 25 students now contains 36. This means the increasing interest in the Qur’an and learning its sciences, and that reflects the mentality and intellectual thinking of today's girls.”
Dr. Hana’a Al-Motawa, assistant professor of jurisprudence at Princess Nora bint Abdul Rahman University, said, “There are many mothers who let their children take part in this kind of contests that raise the faith in their hearts.”
She added, “This contest is an opportunity for girls looking and competing for good deeds.”
One of the winners, Sumayah Al-Harby, said, “Memorizing the Qur’an is not only improves personality but also teaches you how to manage and organize your time...Participating in this contest is a great honor whether I won or not.”
Raghad Al-Sa’doun, a second grade student, said, “I memorized 22 parts of the Qur’an, and I hope to be one of the winners. .. to be in a Qur’an school made me organize my time much better than before.”
Prince Salman Award for Qur’an Memorization aims to project the care of the Kingdom for the Qur’an and the people memorizing it. The prize is divided into 5 categories: First, memorizing the whole Qur’an with recitation and interpretation; second, memorizing the whole Qur’an with recitation only; third, memorizing 20 parts of the Qur’an with recitation; fourth, memorizing 10 parts of the Qur’an with recitation; and finally, memorizing 5 parts of the Qur’an with recitation. The value of the contest’s prizes is more than SR1 million.
