​The fifth-year medical student, Muhammed Sheik, was awarded the title of "Best African Qur'an Reciter" at the prestigious Bahrain International Hifz Memorisation Competition last year.

Sheik was invited to take part in the international competition in Bahrain after winning the South African national Qur'an Competition in 2015.

"It was the first time that a South African was privileged to take part in this competition, and I managed to do well – praise be to God!" Sheik said of his achievement. Participants from 64 countries from around the world competed for the laurels at the Hifz Memorisation Competition.

In this competition, participants are tested on their knowledge of the Qur'an. In preparation contestants have to memorise the entire religious script in order to recall sections from memory during the competition.

Contested are also tested on their knowledge of correct Qura'anic recital, the manner of recital, and beauty of presentation.

The Voice of the Cape radio station (91.3FM) reported on Sheik's achievement: "This is a huge celebratory landmark once again for the South African Muslim community at large, especially for Qari Muhammed Sheik, as he is the first ever South African to participate, by invitation of the Ministry, due to his exemplary exploits at other international Hifz contests, and that too, to have contested the finals, predominantly filled with contestants whose home tongue is Arabic, and be judged the Best African Quraan Reciter of 2016."

See a video of Sheik's winning recital at the Bahrain Internationl Hifz Memorisation Competition.