Writing By Khadijah Aliyu; Editing By Godwin Duru
A young Nigerian Nurudeen Muazu from the Federal Capital Territory has emerged overall winner of the ReciteWithShetty Quran Competition, held virtually on tiktok and Facebook from August 29 to September 5, 2025.
Muhammad Khalid Idris from Bauchi State came second, while fellow Jigawa contestant, Aisha Tahir Ibrahim, clinched the third position.
Speaking at the grand finale and award ceremony, the convener of the competition, Dr Maryam Ibrahim Shettima, popularly known as Maryam Shetty, explained that the initiative was born out of deep personal inspiration and her desire to reclaim social media for faith and moral upliftment.
She explained that the Qur’an has been a lifelong source of strength for her, inspiring the vision behind the competition.
“We live in an age where digital platforms often amplify noise, discord, and distractions. But rather than abandon these spaces, I asked myself: Why not reclaim them? Why not transform TikTok and Instagram from playgrounds of frivolity into platforms of faith, beauty, and reflection?”
Dr. Shetty stressed that the competition was never just about prizes but about rekindling love for the Qur’an, giving young people a noble purpose in their online engagements, and showing that their voices can be instruments of light in a digital world often clouded by negativity.
She noted that what began as a modest idea has grown into a movement that has captured the imagination of youth across Northern Nigeria and beyond.
“The recitations and reflections shared online quickly spread, earning recognition from respected religious leaders,Former Heads of State and elder statesmen and Traditional leaders”.
She described the grand finale not merely as an award ceremony but as a celebration of faith, resilience, and unity that demonstrates the power of young people to transform social media into sanctuaries of morality and faith.
Given the overwhelming response, Dr. Shetty revealed plans to expand the competition into a national project that would go beyond Qur’anic recitation to cover wider religious and humanitarian concerns, while sustaining its mission of uplifting society through faith-driven digital engagement.
The first winner received ₦1 million, the second ₦500,000, while the third-place winner took home ₦250,000.
In his remarks, the facilitator of the competition and Commander General of the Kano State Hisbah Board, Sheikh Aminu Ibrahim Daurawa represented by Malam Aisar Fagge commended the initiative.
He described it as a valuable tool for curbing social vices and urged that the programme be sustained for future generations.
The grand finale and award ceremony witnessed large turn out of prominent Quran reciters and ulamas from with and outside the country.
COV /Khadijah Aliyu
