By Staff Reporter
MINNESOTA, USA – A Somali- American teenager who won the prestigious quran recitation competition representing Minnesota in Dubai, United Arab Emirates was on Friday accorded a rousing reception upon landing at the St Paul airport in Minnesota, United States of America (USA).
A mammoth crowd with beaming smiles was all gathered at the airport to welcome back Ruweyda Kassim who emerged the second runners up in the annual quran competition usually held in Dubai.
Local scholars, Elders, colleagues at Tibyan Islamic centre and her ectastic parents in unanimity received the Ruweyda at the airport and could not hide their joy upon sighting the girl.
Addressing the media at the airport, her quran teacher Abdinasir Farah said that he is very proud to see his student bring home top prize in the international quran competition and described her as an industrious and eager to learn student.
“Ruweyda is a committed girl in the academy and she is among the bright students and am very excited to see her climb the ladder and achieve a prestigious prize.”said Farah.
On his part, Sheikh Tawakal Ismail, a prominent Somali Scholars in Minnesota outlined that the competition which brought together over 50 countries from all over the World and that it is a privilege and honour for them as Minnesota residents to see their girl Ruweyda make them proud and bring great accomplishment to the community.
The two-week long competition involves multiple rounds, during which competitors answer questions and recite random passages of the Quran for judges.
In this year’s annual Quran competition, an Egyptian girl emerged the winner with two Somali girls from Minnesota and Kenya parting with the second and third positions respectively.
