Memorising the Qur’an in an age of distraction

Every Ramadan, Muslims recite all 114 chapters of the Qur’an. That’s more than 6000 verses, all in classical Arabic. But some will not have to read it from the page – they will have it memorised. They’re known as Hafiz, and they commit years of their lives devoting their holy book to memory. Professor Halim Rane teaches Islamic Studies in the School of Humanities, Languages and Social Science at Griffith University. Imam Ensar Cutahija is imam of Rochdale Mosque in Brisbane and so far the only hafiz among Bosnian Muslims in Australia. Amr Ahmed memorised the Qur’an at age 10. He is now in year 9 at an Islamic school in Melbourne. ABC Religion and Ethics is running a special Ramadan series by Susan Carland and Saara Sabbagh. Read the first instalment.