The General Administration of Education in Mecca Al-Mukrramah region, represented in the Islamic Awareness Administration, celebrated on Tuesday 03/08/1437 AH the honoring of the Hafez (memorizers) of Qur'an at the middle schools of teaching the Holy Qura'n in Mecca for this academic year of 1436/1437 AH. The celebration was hosted by Umm Al-Qura University at the historical hall of King Abdul Aziz in the university's city in Al-Abediah.

The ceremony was held in honor of Sheikh Dr. Bandar Belilah, the Imam of Al-Haram Al-Sharif and Dr. Talal bin Mubarak Al-Harbi, the Assistant General Manager of Education in Mecca Al-Mukrramah region, on behalf of Mr. Mohammed bin Mahdi Al-Harthy, the General Manager of Education. The ceremony was held in the presence of Dr. Abdul Aziz Rashad Srouji, the vice-dean of Umm Al-Qura University for Academic Affairs, on behalf of Dr. Bakri bin Matouk Asas, the Rector of Umm Al-Qura University, the official sponsors of the ceremony represented by Mr. Mosaed Al-Zwaihri, the Chairman of Al-Ahli FC club, Mr. Nabil Madden, the representative of the Public Relations and Information Department at the University, Mr. Walid al-Maliki, the manager of "MAAD" company and a number of gentlemen, University and education officials, schools leaders, parents, and honored students.

Dr. Bandar Belilah, the Imam of Al-Haram Al-Sharif, talked about the excellence of the Holy Qura'n and taking care and memorizing it. He expressed his happiness to honor the memorizers of the Holy Qura'n among the students whom he considers as his sons and congratulated them saying: "you are the people of Qura'n, enjoy this vast gift and great honor, you are the people of Allah and his own". He recommended them to review, memorize, ponder and reflect the Qur'an and to comply with it in their actual life to be like a Qura'n that walks on earth. He also pointed out that the Qur'an guides to the straight way in all affairs of life. In addition, he recommended them to set a good example in all aspects of life, and to live with the Qura'n away from extremism, fanaticism and the areas of distrust, suspicion and misleading ideas that claim its believers to destruction and devastation. He thanked the good State for supporting the science and scientists, and the attention paid to the Qura'n and its people.

In his speech, Dr. Talal bin Mubarak Al-Harbi, the Assistant General Manager of Education for Educational Affairs, stressed that the Hafez (Memorizers) of Qura'n are reform means in the community. He guided his honored sons of students saying: "you memorized the Holey Qura'n, it is a great trust and responsibility in your hearts, so, it must impact your behaviors of dealings and worships, you are a role model for your peers and should set an example in the community".  Dr. Harbi expressed the thanks of the General Administration of Education in Mecca Al-Mukrramah region to Sheikh Dr. Bandar Belilah, the Imam of Al-Haram Al-Sharif, for his participation with his sons of students who memorizes the Holy Qura'n in this honorary celebration. He also thanked the official sponsors represented in the management of Al-Ahli Saudi FC Club and "MAAD" company for their unlimited support to various educational programs. In addition, he thanked the Umm Al-Qura University for hosting the ceremony and thanked the success partners "Hafel", "Enaya for Engaz", Nchamy, "Shahma", the channels of "Al-Majd" and "Al-Qura'n", "Al-Quran" and "Nedaa Al Islam" radio broadcasts for their effective contributions in the success of the honoring ceremony for the memorizers of Qura'n. He also extended the thanks to the Islamic Awareness Administration in Mecca Education and its educational supervisors for their blessed efforts.

From his side, Faisal Buhaimed, the Manager of the Islamic Awareness Administration, explained that the number of honored students is "454", who were enrolled in the memorization schools beginning from the first elementary grade to the third middle grade. They have completed memorizing the whole Quran according to the predefined curriculum in the memorization schools. He pointed out that the number of participating schools is eight schools namely (Layth bin Khalid School, Imam Nafia', Abu Bakr bin Ayyash, Al-Mallha', Abu Dhar al-Ansari, Abu Mousa Al-Ash'ari, bin Dhakwaan and Al-Kamel School).

Buhaimed pointed out that honoring those memorizers of Holy Qura'n is a care of Allah's book, a stimulation to memorize and ponder it. It also demonstrates the educational outcomes of the schools of teaching the Holy Qura'n in Mecca Al-Mukrramah and pays attention to the students who memorize the Qura'n and to their generous families as well along with stimulating and motivating them.

It is noteworthy that this second ceremony for honoring the memorizers of the Holy Qura'n at the schools of teaching the Qura'n in Mecca Al-Mukrramah began with reading some verses of the Holy Qur'an, and then followed by a march of the memorizers of the Holy Qura'n. Afterwards, models of distinct recitations were presented followed by a speech of Sheikh Dr. Bandar Belilah, the Imam of Al-Haram Al-Sharif, then the speech of the Assistant for Academic Affairs on behalf of the General Manager. The ceremony was concluded by honoring the sponsors, the university, the participating schools and the honored students.