KIEV, April 20, 2005 (IslamOnline.net) – In the first religious event of its kind in the former Soviet republic, a Ukrainian Muslim student memorized the Noble Qur’an, the first case after long decades of persecution against the Muslim minority in the country under the Communist rule.
After a year and a half of hard work, Suliman Woleef, a student in the Radwan center for the memorization of Qur’an, a center affiliated to the Federation of Social Organizations (Arraid) -- the largest Islamic group in the country -- memorized the Noble Book, a first in Ukraine since independence, the federation’s Web site said Tuesday, April 19.
“This event is a remarkable point in the history of the Ukrainian Muslims, who have been intent on regaining their religious identity and heritage after years of persecution under the Communist rule,” said Arraid chairman, Farouq Ashour.
Radwan center, the only place for the memorization of Qur’an, is a boarding school in Ukraine where some 20 students, aged 14-19, are studying the Islamic tenets and seera (biography of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
During their three-year study, students also study subjects of the regular secondary grade, in preparation for joining university after ending their course in the center.
Muslim Achievement
Apparently short of words, Woleef said he was unable to express his feelings after succeeding in memorizing the Noble Book.
“When I was young, I used to get surprised when I heard from fellow Muslims that they memorized the Noble Qur’an and wondered how I could memorize the Noble Book,” he said.
To keep his memorization of the Noble Qur’an, Woleef said he is used to continually repeating his memorization day in and day out.
“I call on all Ukrainian Muslims to pay a great attention to memorizing and reciting the Noble Qur’an, seeking Allah’s help to meet this end.”
Seren Arefof, a teacher in the Radwan center, expressed delight over Woleef's great achievement.
“Woleef's memorization of the Noble Qur’an represents a turning point in the history of the center, giving us strength for Ukrainian Muslims to make more achievements,” he said.
There are two million Muslims in Ukraine, making up 4% of the overall 48-million population.