Koran by Heart

Journal Entry- Nabioallah

     Yesterday, I competed in the International Holy Koran Competition at the Ministry of Religious Affairs in Cairo, Egypt. I represented my entire country of Senegal against kids of all ages from 70 different countries. I was very nervous when I went up to recite my passage, but once I started to speak I was able to calm down. My life for the past few years has led up to this moment. I have spent hours a day memorizing the Qu'ran and working with my teacher on my pronunciation. One difficult aspect of this has been the fact that I speak Tajik and do not understand Arabic. This has led to many challenges in not only my studies, but in visiting Cairo for the competition as well. I have also never learned Tajweed, due to the nature of my small rural school. Speaking of, this school has been shut down in an attempt to reduce extremism. I have been forced to search for a new school in the capital. This has proved difficult due to the fact that I am nearly illiterate. My education thus far has been on memorizing the Qu'ran, and I must now branch out into other aspects of learning. Traveling to Egypt has been extremely scary with all of the mosquitos, people, cars, and buildings. I am all by myself and I do not understand the language. Memorizing the Qu'ran has placed me in a distinct comfort zone which I must now expand off of. The attention I received after finishing 3rd has been overwhelming. I suppose I should learn Tajweed for my future visits. 

The notes I took on the video:

The international holy koran competition- Ministry of Religious Affairs in Cairo, Egypt

During Ramadan- Call to prayer ends fast

These kids are 10 and represent their entire countries (70 different)

Rules of Tajweed- Rythmic (Melody is improvised)

Qu’ran means “A Reciting”

Nabioallah (Senegal)- 

All by himself

Not Arab- speaks Tajik

Scary world- mosquitos, people, cars, buildings- so much

Computer- how does it work/ buttons

Nerves before- reciting calms

Judges were amazed at his beautiful voice and unpredictable rhythm. 

He doesn’t speak Arabic

Lots of attention- overwhelmed

Scored a 95

School shut down by Tajikistans secular government in an effect to shut down extremism

Can not continue studies at the school anymore- applied to school in the capital that is approved by the government (Rural schools have one teacher- young extremists)

Illiterate in Tajik

Will study and live in the new school if he was accepted

He was told to come back for more tests after his trip to Cairo

Does not know the rules of Tajweed!

Won 3rd place