World champion Hafiz-e-Quran Md. Nuruddin Zakaria, who secured first place in an international Quran competition in Saudi Arabia by defeating competitors from 133 countries, has been given a special reception at Charmonai Madrasa.

His teacher, Mufti Nurul Karim Molla, principal of Ar-Raihan Madrasa, and his father, Nurul Amin, were also honored at the event.

The reception was organized after Zuhr prayers at the invitation of the Charmonai Pir. Scholars, teachers and students present at the programme praised Nuruddin Zakaria for his outstanding achievement.

The programme began with a recitation from the Holy Quran. Md. Miftahul Karim, the younger son of Charmonai Pir Mufti Syed Rezaul Karim, delivered the recitation, which deeply moved those in attendance. Following the recitation, Ar-Raihan Madrasa’s principal presented him with a gift of 100 Saudi riyals.

Speaking at the event, Nuruddin Zakaria’s father, Nurul Amin, said, “I am also a student of this Charmonai Jamia. Shaykh-e-Charmonai and Pir Sahib Huzur were my teachers.” He also requested everyone to pray for his son.

Shaykh-e-Charmonai Mufti Syed Faizul Karim, in his speech, criticised the country’s current system. He said proper recognition and evaluation of world champion Hafizes would not be possible until Quranic law was established. He also raised concerns over what he described as negligence by the government.

Charmonai Pir Mufti Syed Rezaul Karim, meanwhile, praised Hafiz Nuruddin Zakaria for his remarkable achievement and encouraged students to devote greater attention to learning the Quran. He prayed for the Hafiz’s bright future and continued service to Islam.

The programme concluded with prayers and a munajat. Later, crests were presented to Hafiz Nuruddin Zakaria and the other individuals associated with his achievement, formally bringing the special reception to an end.