SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA — Two days before Eid al-Fitr 1446 H, on Saturday (March 29, 2025), Dai Ambassador Dompet Dhuafa assigned to South Korea, Ustaz M Minanur Rochman, had the honor of being one of the judges in the International Tilawah Competition. The event, organized by Gmoney Trans—a South Korean money transfer company—took place at Bombay Restaurant in Itaewon, Seoul, and was attended by participants from various countries. This reflects the diversity of the Muslim community in South Korea.
The International Quran Recitation Competition is part of the Mega Iftar series, an annual event organized by Gmoney Trans to strengthen Islamic brotherhood among the international Muslim community in South Korea. The event was also attended by distinguished guests, including representatives from Muslim embassies and prominent Islamic figures actively involved in community development abroad.
As a judge in the recitation competition, Ustaz Minanur Rohman expressed his appreciation for the event, which he said was not only a competition but also a means of learning and preaching for Muslims in South Korea.
“We greatly appreciate Gmoney Trans’ initiative in organizing this event. In addition to being a gathering, this event also served as a forum for Muslims in Korea to deepen their understanding of the Qur’an and feel a sense of togetherness during Ramadan. We hope that events like this will continue and motivate the younger generation of Muslims to love the Qur’an more and practice Islamic values in their daily lives,” said Ustaz Minanur Rohman.
High enthusiasm was evident among the participants. They demonstrated their best abilities in reciting the holy verses of the Quran with beautiful rhythm and pronunciation. The judging panel, consisting of experts in Quranic recitation, evaluated the participants based on fluency, proper pronunciation, voice quality, and emotional expression in reading the holy verses.
In addition to the recitation competition, the Mega Iftar event was enlivened by short religious lectures and a joint prayer session, creating a warm atmosphere of togetherness amid the lives of Muslims living abroad. Many participants and invited guests admitted to feeling moved by this moment, as Ramadan often presents challenges for those far from their families in their homeland.
With the success of this event, it is hoped that the spirit of togetherness and love for the Quran will continue to grow among South Korean Muslims. This year’s International Quran Recitation Competition and Mega Iftar were not merely ceremonial events, but also a testament to the fact that Islam continues to thrive and evolve within the diverse Muslim community in South Korea. (Dompet Dhuafa)
Text and photos: South Korea-based Dai Ambassador, Ustaz Minanur Rochman
Editor: Ronna