These students were awarded for their prolific skills in reciting the Holy Quran.
The event was aimed at enhancing students’ understanding of the Deen and to promote the teaching of Islam to provide them with the platform to explore their talents and skills in speech and reading of the Quran.
At the event, Muna Sillameh, vice president of FEGAMY outlined that the event brought together junior, senior, and tertiary institutes to recite the Quran serving as a motivation to young people to connect with the Quran in the words of Allah and also give them the platform to speech competition.
“We have pertinent topics that we bring forward and give it to them to set lights on and also educate the audience about it and the nation at large because we aimed to have that avenue for all Muslim youths in the country to have a sense of belonging when Islamic events are happening,” she added.
Mrs Sillameh outlined that they aim to expand their international presence through their annual youth camp, currently involving participants from Senegal, with plans to expand by including other countries from the sub-region.
Additionally, she maintained that the main purpose of the event is to nurture and bring to life the hidden potentials since all cannot be learned in the classrooms and to make their Quran and speech competition international by inviting countries like Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, and Sierra Leone to join them, as their Federation is focused on educating beyond the country with long term goals to reach Africa and the world.
Sarjo Jammeh, head of education and student’s affairs at FEGAMY, revealed that they’ve invited 46 schools, including Arabic and senior secondary schools to participate in the competition though less accepted.
“Despite sending around 46 letters, only 28 schools confirm, while others waited until the very day to bring in their participants which we refused because we have made it clear on the letters and would not prioritize any,” he outlined.
Jammeh explained that one of the challenges they faced is getting schools to respond timely to their invitations and struggled with finances, relying on personal efforts to fund the events.
“Many schools, especially from URR and LRR, may not attend due to transport costs. Sponsorship would help cover fares and encourage more participants because there are various prizes for the junior, senior and tertiary categories, including cash, books, bags and others fully funded by us.”
