President Jokowi prouds of Hafeedz Little Musa Achievement

Jakarta, 9 Rajab 1437 | 17 April, 2016 (MINA) – Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) expressed his pride of the achievements of Indonesian young hafeedz La Ode Musa Abu Hanafi in Egypt International Musabaqah Hifzil Quran which was held few days ago.

“We are proud of the accomplishments of Moses La Ode Abu Hanafi, hafidz 7 years in Musabaqah Hifzil International Quran in Egypt – Jkw,” wrote the President in his official twitter account on Sunday.

In her post, the President Jokowi aslo shared Musa photo who was posing among the participants from other countries.

There are 80 participants  consisted of 60 countries including Egypt, Sudan, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Morocco, Chad, Algeria, Mauritania, Yemen, Bahrain, Nigeria, Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam, Philippines , Thailand, Australia, Ukraine and Indonesia.

Musa La Ode Abu Hanafi (7 years and 10 month old), a native of Bangka Island, has winning 3rd place in the International Quranic Competition in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt.

Musa is the youngest competitor participated in the category of Hifz Al-Quran (Quranic Recitation) of 30 juz for children, while the other participants were older than 10 years old, according to a realese of the Indonesian Embassy in Cairo.

His presence in the competition has caught the attention of one journalist of the Middle East News Agency (MENA) to interview Musa and his father, one day  after their arrival in Sharm El-Sheikh. The interview has been printed in some Egyptian media, under the title: Indonesia Participated in the International Quranic Competition in Sharm El Sheikh by Sending the Youngest Participant.

During the competition, Musa has to answer 6 questions which perfectly answered by him. His composure and his fluency in recite the Holy Quran has moved the Grand Jury, Sheikh Helmy Gamal, the Vice Chairman of  the Egyptian Quraa Union and some audience and made them burst into tears.

The admiration for the young hafiz not only showed by the jury and audience, but also from other competitors. After his recital, audience swarmed around him to take selfies and kissing his head as a means of appreciation in the Arabic culture. It didn’t apply to other children participant. Although Musa only won the third place but he has winning the heart of the jury and the audience.

At the closing ceremony, the Minister of Endowment Affairs, Prof. Dr. Mohamed Mochtar Gomaa, specifically adress Musa and his father, Mr. Abu Hanafi. On that occasion, the Minister on behalf of the Egyptian Government invites Musa and Mr. Abu Hanafi to the commemoration of the Lailatul Qadarduring the Ramadhan month. (L/R03/R04)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)