RAF chaplain to lead UK Armed Forces team in Quran competition in Mecca
RAF Coningsby's chaplain, Imam Ali Omar, is taking a team of three British Army personnel to a Quran memorisation competition in Mecca, the holiest city, according to Islam.
The Prince Sultan International Military Quran Memorisation Competition is expected to be attended by 179 participants from 32 countries.
Over 14 days, the British Army team will compete against participants from other military teams, drawn from the Middle East, Asia, and Africa.
The prestigious international competition involves memorising entire chapters of the Quran, and then being able to recite selected parts to a judging panel.
"The judge will select a point in one of the chapters and then ask you to recite from that point onwards," Imam Ali explained.
The appearance of a UK team at the Military Quran Memorisation Competition is unusual.
"In similar situations before I have found there is a lot of interest in us, other competitors are surprised that there are Muslims in the UKAF, and that we would have an Imam, or Padre, they are keen to find out about our careers and how we live as Muslims in the UK," Imam Ali said.
"For me, it is a special honour as a Muslim to be taking part in this event, but there is also a huge sense of pride as we represent ourselves and the UK Armed Forces," he continued.
Group Captain Paul O'Grady, Station Commander at RAF Coningsby, wished Imam Ali every success.
"We are grateful to have Imam Ali here," he said. "He is an integral part of our chaplaincy team, and his role as coach to the UK Armed Forces personnel at the Prince Sultan International Military Quran Memorisation Competition is proof of his deep knowledge and profound commitment to the teachings of the Quran."
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