Qur’an recitation contest promotes morality in social media use – Maryam Shetty

Three young reciters have emerged winners at a special Qur’an Recitation Competition organised by Hajiya Maryam Shetty, a prominent APC member in Abuja, aimed at promoting morality and responsible social media engagement.

The competition, tagged #ReciteWithShetty and themed “The Qur’an: A Guide to Cleaner Social Media”, was designed to encourage positive values in the way Nigerians use digital platforms.

The event drew the attendance of notable personalities, including Hajiya Mariya Sanusi Bayero, mother of Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, and renowned Islamic scholar, Sheikh Ibrahim Khalil, among other dignitaries.

At the grand finale in Kano, Nuradeen Muazu from Abuja clinched the first prize of ₦1 million, while Muhammad Khalid Idiris from Bauchi came second with ₦500,000.

Aisha Tahir Ibrahim secured the third position with a ₦250,000 cash prize.

Speaking at the award ceremony, Shetty said the initiative received massive participation from parents and children nationwide, with thousands joining as contestants through social media platforms.

“I was amazed at the number of entries, which ran into thousands.

“People truly appreciated the initiative, and it has helped discover talents across the country,” she said.

She explained that social media was not only a tool for promoting the competition but also an avenue to amplify Qur’anic recitation among young people, noting that more than one million users engaged with the contest online.

“Glory be to God, it was a success. Today’s winners will be celebrated so they can inspire others,” she added.

According to her, the contest demonstrated how digital platforms can foster spiritual growth, moral values, and positive engagement among Nigerian youth.

“As the competition progressed, I received countless calls from across the country, with many Nigerians eager to participate and take the idea further to reshape social media culture,” Shetty said.