A record of notable events and initiatives organized by the Trust over the years.
One of the Trust's notable community initiatives has been the Grand Qiraat (Qur'an recitation) competition — a prestigious program encouraging young talent in the art of Qur'anic recitation.
The first three seasons of the Grand Qiraat Competition were conducted in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia by the Dr. Abdul Shakeel Charitable Trust, before the competition was brought to India for Season 4. Season 4 promotional material consistently states that the Trust had already completed three successful seasons in Saudi Arabia.
The Trust later expanded the program to Dakshina Kannada, Karnataka, organizing Season 4 in Mangalore. The official poster for Season 4 was unveiled on 1 January 2026 by Dr U.T. Khader, Hon'ble Speaker of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly, who praised the Trust's educational and social services.
An overview of all Qiraat competition seasons organized by the Trust — from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia to Mangalore, India.
| Season | Location | Status | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | Jeddah, Saudi Arabia | Completed | Inaugural edition that launched the competition in Saudi Arabia. |
| Season 2 | Jeddah, Saudi Arabia | Completed | Held for children below 16 years. Highlights available on the Trust's Instagram. |
| Season 3 | Jeddah, Saudi Arabia | Completed | Held on 20 March 2025 in Jeddah, as announced on the Trust's Facebook page. |
| Season 4 | Dakshina Kannada, Karnataka, India | Completed | First edition in India. Grand finale at Indiana Convention Centre, Mangalore. |
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
The inaugural edition of the Grand Qiraat Competition, launched by the Dr. Abdul Shakeel Charitable Trust in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. This first season established the competition as a platform for young reciters to showcase their talent on an international stage.
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
The second season continued the Trust's mission of promoting Qur'anic excellence among youth in Jeddah. Instagram posts from Dr. Abdul Shakeel's official account include highlights from Season 2, confirming it was held in Jeddah for children under 16 years of age.
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
The third successful season was held in Jeddah, further strengthening the Trust's commitment to educational and cultural initiatives in Saudi Arabia. A Facebook post from the Trust announced that Season 3 was scheduled in Jeddah on 20 March 2025.
Dakshina Kannada, Karnataka, India
After three successful seasons in Jeddah, the Trust brought the Grand Qiraat Competition to India for the first time. Open to boys and girls aged 10–16, Season 4 marked a major milestone — expanding the program to Mangalore, Karnataka, with a grand finale at the Indiana Convention Centre.
The Grand Qiraat Competition was a community event organized by the Trust. For general inquiries about the Trust's ongoing work, please contact us.
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