The final round of Republican Qur’an Competition – 2018 has been continuing for three days since April 21st. In his opening speech at the final round of the contest Usmanhan Alimov, Chairman of Muslim Board of Uzbekistan, muftiy congratulated all participants and organizers for the blessing path they have gone through. “People who learn and listen to Qur’an always stay spiritually and morally fit as Qur’an guides only to true path by soothing hearts and making people reflect”.
Earlier to the final round Hasanhon Abdulmajidov, Chairman of Contest Judges Board that muftiy presented privilege to people with disabilities to participate in the final round even though they were not able to get the first place in the previous stage.
Participants got even more excited when they heard about outstanding news. The only winner who receives highest score will receive the President Sh. Mirziyoyev’s automobile gift and all other participants who takes the first places in various nominations will receive three Umrah travel packages: one package for the winner and two other packages for the winners parents. It must be noted that such a high attention to participants has never been observed in Qur’an Competition history. Even though Qur’an learners are always respected among us, as muslims we strongly believe that the greatest reward for Qur’an readers is in the Hereafter.
Sheikh Bashir bin Ahmed Siddiq, the senior Quran recitation teacher at Al-Masjid An-Nabawi, passed away on October 1, 2025, after dedicating sixty years to teaching at the Prophet’s Mosque. His students include some of the most prominent reciters and Islamic scholars of recent generations, forming a legacy that extends across the Muslim world.
Among his notable students are former Holy Mosques Imams Sheikh Muhammad Ayyoub and Sheikh Ali Jaber, current An-Nabawi Imams Sheikh Abdul Muhsin Al-Qasim and Sheikh Salah Al-Budair, and Sheikh Muhammad Al-Mukhtar Al-Shanqiti of the Senior Scholars Council. These figures represent just a portion of the thousands who studied under Sheikh Bashir’s guidance at the Medina mosque.
Sheikh Bashir established himself as a pillar of Quranic education within the sacred premises of the Prophet’s Mosque. His teaching career spanned six decades, during which he maintained a consistent presence in the mosque’s educational circles.
Students traveled from various countries specifically to learn Quran recitation from him, drawn by his reputation for precision and deep knowledge of tajweed rules.
The Sheikh’s methodology combined traditional teaching techniques with deep scholarly insight, creating a learning environment that produced some of the most recognized voices in Islamic recitation.
His students now lead prayers at Islam’s holiest sites and hold positions on scholarly councils, continuing the traditions he preserved and taught.