The 8th International Qirat Conference is being held today at the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque in Dhaka, featuring renowned reciters from seven countries. Organized by the International Qirat Organization Bangladesh, the event aims to showcase the beauty of the Holy Quran on a global stage while strengthening the nation’s tradition of Quranic studies. The program is scheduled to continue from noon until 10:00 PM.

Distinguished reciters from Egypt, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran, India, and South Africa are participating alongside prominent Bangladeshi Qaris. The international delegation includes Egypt’s Sheikh Abdun Naser Harak, Afghanistan’s Qari Abdul Kabir Haidari, and Iran’s Sheikh Qari Wahid Khazaei. Representing Bangladesh, internationally acclaimed Qari Maulana Saiful Islam Asad and various competition winners will also perform.

Promoting Quranic Excellence

Beyond the recitations, the conference serves as a vital platform for the promotion and development of Qirat studies. The International Qirat Organization Bangladesh has long worked to elevate the standard of Quranic education and enhance Bangladesh’s representation in the global Islamic community. Organizers believe this event will foster greater interest in the accuracy of recitation and the deeper study of Qirat among the public.

Conference Implementation Committee Convener Maulana Muhammad Yusuf said, “This event will take Bangladesh’s tradition of Quranic practice to new heights on the international stage.”

The event is expected to draw high-profile government officials, including cabinet ministers and religious scholars. Organizers noted that the presence of state dignitaries and world-class reciters marks the conference as a significant milestone in the country’s religious and cultural landscape.

Why it matters: The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has created a special opportunity for Muslims worldwide to perform Umrah completely free of charge through the digital platform ‘Nusuk’ app, with winners selected via a lottery.

The big picture: Under this initiative, a total of 100 Umrah packages and 10,000 cartons of Zamzam water will be awarded as prizes. Each package includes travel for two, Umrah visas, air tickets, and 10 nights of accommodation in Makkah and Madinah.

Between the lines: To participate, interested individuals must download the Nusuk app, register, and take part in a quiz under the ‘Start the Challenge’ option. Participants receive one key daily, which must be used to open question doors and provide correct answers; there is also an option to share the competition link with friends and family to earn additional keys.

What’s next: While various media outlets have reported different closing dates for the competition, the list of winners is being published regularly on Nusuk’s official Instagram and X accounts. Interested individuals are advised to regularly follow Nusuk’s social media platforms.

The bottom line: This is essentially a knowledge-based competition where participants must answer questions correctly from any of the four categories—’The Prophet’s Biography’, ‘The Quran’, ‘Makkah and the Grand Mosque’, and ‘Madinah and the Prophet’s Mosque’—to enter the lottery. Winners are announced daily at night, Saudi local time, and in addition to the Umrah package, they will receive 20 cartons of Zamzam water. The Nusuk app is available on the Google Play Store and Apple App Store, serving as a modern medium to ensure digital services for Umrah pilgrims. By participating in this competition, interested individuals from any part of the world have the chance to fulfill their dream of performing Umrah.

A rural healthcare practitioner has been arrested in Faridpur’s Saltha upazila for allegedly making derogatory remarks about Allah and insulting religion, police said. Sheikh Akhtar Hossain, 55, was detained on Sunday morning around 10am from the Bauskhali area of Ballovdi Union.

According to police, Hossain posted a video on Facebook last Friday in which he referred to a statement by Baul singer Abul Sarkar and cited lyrics from Baul songs. In the video he reportedly described Allah as a “thief, fraudster and killer” and labelled the current government as a “Taliban government.” The video quickly spread online, triggering outrage among local Islamic scholars.

Following complaints from residents, police arrested him and took him into custody. Officer-in-Charge of Saltha Police Station Md Ataur Rahman confirmed that a case has been filed against Hossain on charges of religious defamation. He has been sent to the Faridpur court, and further legal procedures are ongoing.