UAE- Sharjah Crown Prince crowns winners of the 8th Munshid Sharjah

SHARJAH 26th December 2015 (WAM) -- Under the patronage of H.H. Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah H.H. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qasimi Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah yesterday crowned the winners of the 8th Munshid Sharjah in the closing ceremony which took place at Al Majaz Amphitheatre.

The closing night was attended by a large crowd and featured international singer Maher Zain.

Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed praised the generous support extended by Ruler of Sharjah to the Munshid Sharjah programme and all the activities organised by the Sharjah Media Corporation SMC.

He commended the efforts made by SMC to produce meaningful and noble programmes praising the high artistic and organisational level of the programme which reflected the slogan of the 8th season "Munshid Sharjah to the World" through a group of competitors from Arab European and Asian countries.

The closing ceremony was attended by Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi Chairman of the Sharjah Media Corporation Sheikh Faisal bin Saud Al Qasimi Director of the Sharjah Airport Authority Sheikh Mohammed bin Humaid Al Qasimi Director of the Sharjah Department of Statistics and Community Development (DSCD) Sheikh Majid bin Sultan bin Saqr Al Qasimi Director of the Department of Suburbs and Village Affairs in the Emirate of Sharjah Ali Salem Al Midfa Chairman of the Sharjah International Airport Authority Saeed Musabah Al Kaabi Chairman of the Sharjah Education Council Salem Yousef Al Qaseer Chairman of the Labour Standards Development Authority Dr. Khalid Omar Al Midfa Director General of the Sharjah Media Corporation Saif bin Markhan Al Ketbi Director General of the Office of the Crown Prince of Dubai Mohammed Khalaf Director of Sharjah Radio and TV Tariq Al Naqbi Director of the Sharjah Media Centre Saif Mohammed Al Jarwan Director of the Emiri Court of Sharjah Dr. Hamid Mjul Al Nuaimi Director of the University of Sharjah Dr. Rashad Salem Director of Al Qasimia University Marwan bin Jassim Al Sarkal CEO of the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq) and a number of senior officials from the Sharjah Government a number of ambassadors and members of the diplomatic corps from the GCC and Arab countries and media representatives.

Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed accompanied by Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi and Dr. Khalid Omar Al Midfa crowned the three winners; Shuaib Fadhil from Morocco was announced the winner of the 8th Munshid Sharjah Ali Sahrawi from Algeria was the first runner-up and Youssef Hilal from France came in third.

On the closing night the audience enjoyed the Nasheed songs performed by the six finalists: Basil Mustaf from Syria Mohammed Naji Mufreh from Yemen Suaib Fadhil from Morocco Ali Sahrawi from Algeria and Youssef Hilal from France.

The judging panel was composed of Nashid experts including Lotfi Bouchnak Osama Al Safi composer Assim Al Bunni and world renowned Islamic singer Mesut Kurtis. The Crown Prince honoured the sponsors of the programme and all who contributed to the event.

Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi Chairman of SMC on the occasion said that the emirate of Sharjah confirms its unwavering support to the meaningful content and eloquent lyrics as part of its support to culture and conservative arts. "No doubt everything we see in reality today would not have been possible without the support of H.H. the Ruler of Sharjah who guides us to overcome all obstacles and ensure the success of the programme which is organised under the supervision and support of the Crown Prince of Sharjah."

He added: "The 8th season of Munshid Sharjah was a resounding success. We have discovered so many vocal talents who showed us the quantum leap made by the programme in the art of Nasheed. Participants will be the future ambassadors of this noble art."

Dr. Khalid Al Midfa extended his heartfelt thanks to the Ruler of Sharjah for his generous support and patronage of the programme. He expressed his gratitude to the Crown Prince who attended the ceremony and honoured the three winners. Al Midfa said: "The generous patronage of the Ruler of Sharjah to this programme is a testimonial of the importance of the art of Nasheed. We at the Sharjah Media Corporation will continue our approach to fulfill Sharjah's vision and directive in strengthening the presence of meaningful art and the noble messages it tries to convey."

The first winner received a cash prize of AED 150000 a BMW car and an album and video clip to be produced by the Sharjah Media Corporation. The first runner-up received AED 100000 and will have a video clip produced by SMC. The third-place winner received AED 75000. Finalists in the 8th season of Munshid Sharjah will have an Umrah trip fully paid by the Sharjah Media Corporation.

The 2nd edition of Junior Munshid which will commence in January 2016 was also revealed in the closing ceremony.