Al-Aqsa Mosque in the Holy Qur’an with Surah Al-Isra Student Competition

Maker Majlis, in partnership with Minaretein Center, launched a lecture series on Surah Al-Isra and Al-Aqsa Mosque, aimed at deepening Islamic understanding of one of the most spiritually significant chapters of the Qur’an. The ongoing initiative was led by the renowned Islamic scholar, educator, and lecturer Sheikh Abdur-Raheem McCarthy.

Open to the public, with a particular focus on university students, the program provided an opportunity to engage deeply with the tafsir and memorization of Surah Al-Isra. Through a series of lectures, participants explored the meanings, themes, and significance of the surah, particularly its connection to the journey of Isra and Mi‘raj and the sacred status of Al-Aqsa Mosque.

In light of contemporary events, particularly the ongoing suffering in Palestine, the choice of Surah Al-Isra was intentional. The surah offers a Qur’anic lens through which participants could reflect on current realities while strengthening their spiritual connection to Al-Aqsa Mosque and the blessed land of Palestine.

The series sought to nurture a stronger relationship between young hearts and the Qur’an, while also promoting Islamic values of unity, solidarity, reflection, and responsibility toward the wider ummah.

The program concluded with a competition for Qatar Foundation university students focused on the memorization and interpretation of Surah Al-Isra. Designed as more than a memorization exercise, the initiative encouraged students to build a meaningful and lasting connection with the Qur’an through structured support, weekly halaqas, and guided revision sessions.

An awards ceremony hosted by the College of Islamic Studies at HBKU recognized the efforts of participating students and celebrated the winners of the competition.

Reflecting on the experience, one participant shared:

“I am grateful for the experience already. The lecture series alone was so bountiful, and you also brought such a nice teacher, Ustadha Iman, for the hifz program, which really improved my awareness of my qira’a, Alhamdulillah.”

Maker Majlis and Minaretein Center remain committed to the transformative power of education, spiritual enrichment, and creating opportunities for young people to integrate the Qur’an meaningfully into their daily lives.