Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai Crown Prince and UAE Defence Minister, honored Wednesday Dr Alija Izetbegovic, former President of Bosnia-Herzegovina as the winner of Dubai International Holy Quran Award's Islamic Personality of the Year.
Dr Izetbegovic was awarded Dh1 million during the closing cermoney of the fifth annual competition which was held in Za'beel Mosque.
“The choice of Dr Izetbegovic as the Islamic Personality of the Year is in recognition of his struggle and distinguished contribution in serving Muslims and Islam in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and leading them to freedom and independence,”said Dubai Public Prosecutor and Chairman of the Organising Committee of the Award, Ibrahim Bu Melha.
For his part, Izetbegovic who arrived in Dubai Monday, expressed his extreme delight for being selected Islamic Personality of the year and praised President Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan for his humanitarian initiatives. He also thanked Sheikh Mohammed. He described the moment of his honouring as historic, according to the UAE official news agency (WAM).
Meanwhile, the head of the judging panel, Egyptian scholar Ibrahim Al Akhdar praised the initiative taken by Sheikh Mohammad the founder of the annual contest to honour prominent Islamic personalities.
Al Akhdar was quoted by the Dubai-based paper as saying that “highlighting prominent Islamic personalities who have dedicated themselves to serving Islam has a strong influence on Muslims and others.
"This move will encourage Muslims to follow the footsteps of prominent Islamic personalities and enrich their individual lives."
Sheikhs, scholars, copmpetitors, members of the diplomatic corps, ministers and other prominent personalities attended the presentation in which the winners received their prizes.
According to the Gulf News, the contest's first prize winner was Fadhl Al Ramaghouni of Nigeria, who received Dh250,000. Second prize winner was Waddah Yahiya Hais of Yemen, who received Dh150,000.
Third prize went to Mohammed Monawwar Al Humaid Abdul Salam of India, who received Dh100,000.
The fourth prize winner was Ayy Serri Saqati of Indonesia, who received Dh65,000. Fifth prize was won by Mohammed Ali Abdullah Abdul Qadir Al Sayed of Egypt, who received Dh60,000. Sixth prize winner was Sobhi Ahmed Sobhi Khateeb of Syria who received Dh55,000.
Seventh prize winner was Othman Rafiq Mohammed Rafiq of Pakistan who received Dh50,000. Eighth prize went to Mohammed Ould Sidi Mohammed Ould Al Moustafa of Mauritania, who received Dh45,000.
Ninth prize went to Naif Mohammed Saleh Al Salem of Saudi Arabia, who received Dh40,000. Tenth prize winner was Omar Abdul Rahman Salem Al Nuaimi of the UAE, who received Dh35,000 – Albawaba.com
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