By Sariba Manneh
Q-Group, one of Gambian leading business empires, on Saturday, 6 April, 2024, organized its annual Grand Iftar, fourth edition of National Quranic Recitation Competition, and first National Adhan (Azan) competition.
The Q-Group comprises several companies including Q-Cell, a telecommunication company; Quantum Net Institute of Technology (QIT); Arab Gambia Islamic Bank (AGIB); Qodoo Mobile Money; Espace Motors; Qcity; QTV; Q-Radio; Red Code; Natural Mineral Water, and among others.
The congregation held at Q-City was done in honor of the late Imam Mass Jah. It attracted staff and management of all companies under the Q-Group, students from several madrasas, religious leaders, Ministers, representatives from the Supreme Islamic Council (SIC) and the public.
About 307 people registered for the national Quranic recitation competition but 45 participants were fortunate to reach the final stage of the competition.
For the first time, the Q-Group initiated the Adhan (Azaan) competition dubbed 1st National Azaan Competition. 173 people applied for the competition but 51 applicants reached the competition level. However, out of the 51, only six participants reached the final competition.
In the course of the competition, judges identified a winner and runner-up in every class including full Quran, half Quran and Quarter Quran categories.
Ebrahim Muhammad Hydara, winner of the full Quran category was awarded D100,000 as winner, while the runner-up Mahammad Nfamara Ceesay grabbed D75,000.
Abdul Karim Corr, winner of half Quran was awarded D75,000; Sohna Matida Famara Minteh, winner for the runner-up was awarded D50,000.
Muhammad Sanusi Amat Jallow won the Quarter Quran competition and was awarded D50,000; Husainatou Muhammed Baldeh runner-up was awarded D25,000.
In the first-ever National Azaan Competition, Abdoulie Braham Jobe, got D20,000 and winner and runner-up, Mahammad Ousman Jah laid hands on D15,000.
However, all other participants were awarded certificates of participation and amounts of money.
In his remark Alhagie Ousman Jah, Religious Affairs Manager for Q-Group, said Q-Group is working in partnership with the Supreme Islamic Council.
Sheikh Foday Darboe, President of the Supreme Islamic Council, commended the Q-Group under the leadership of CEO Muhammed Jah for organizing such an important religious activity.
He prayed for almighty Allah to bestow his blessings on all those who contributed in the smooth implementation of the annual activity.
“I equally thank those who spent all their lives supporting Islamic teachers and imams. May Allah reward you all,” he prayed.
He further acknowledged Islamic teachers and religious leaders for their stance on the teachings of Islam in the society. He described The Gambia as a great country when it comes to Islamic propagation and worshiping of the almighty Allah.
Darboe said Gambian Muslims owed Mr. Muhammed Jah an obligation.
“Everyone knows his efforts for the Islamic religion in The Gambia. He is supporting needy Muslims, and empowering the religion. Currently, the whole world knows the good thing we are doing through his television. This is a promotion for our religion (Islam),” said the Islamic cleric.
To this end, he prayed to Almighty Allah to protect and guide both Mr. Jah and his businesses.
He urged all to recite the holy Quran and use the holy book in all their lives, while calling on rich people to emulate the good practice and doings of Gambia’s business mogul Muhammed Jah.
Muhammed Jah, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Q-Group, expressed delight with the smooth implementation of Islamic annual congregation.
He recalled that the event was initiated by Imam Mass Jah, who advised him during the launch of Qcell to support Gambian religious leaders, most especially Imams and Adhans.
“So, we started with the Q-Doogou and it was growing until we initiated the Quranic recitation competition. This is the fourth edition of that competition and now we have added the National Azaan competition to the annual event,” he recounted.
He used the opportunity to thank President Barrow and his government for their attendance and commitment to development.
“Looking at the gathering one can see all the government representatives. This shows that the Gambia Government has special respect and honour for the Islamic religion and humanity,” he said.
Jah further expressed gratitude to the Supreme Islamic Group for its support to Q-Group in the smooth implementation of the annual event and having cordial relationship with the company.
“I also thanked the Q-Group family because everything in the event is organized by the family. Our ultimate goal is to provide the needed services to the public and also to give out our social corporate responsibility (SCR) to the public,” he said.
In conclusion, he commended the Q-Group customers for their immense support to their various businesses. He said the group is able to implement the annual activity and other obligations as a result of support of the customers.
Mr Amat N.K. Bah, Minister of Lands, Local Government and Religious Affairs commended the CEO of Q-Group for his support for the Muslim community and the country in general.
“Muhammed, if the country should have ten people of your kind then the country would advance,” he said.
He said there is a need for the public to have special respect for imams, as they are very instrumental in the society because they preside over several ceremonies including naming, marriages, funerals and among others.
“People will embark on their works while the imams are busy supporting others on social issues; therefore, we should support them to ensure their wellbeing,” he said.
