Dr. Maryam Ibrahim Shettima, popularly known as Dr. Maryam Shetty, has expressed delight over the success of the maiden edition of #ReciteWithShetty, an initiative designed to unite northern Nigeria and the nation at large through the melodious recitation of the Holy Qur’an.
The event, themed “The Qur’an: A Guide to Cleaner Social Media,” and held today in Kano State according to Dr. Shetty, was conceived as a platform to harness Qur’anic recitation as a tool to promote unity while also sanitizing social media from the wave of immoral activities that have become rampant.
“The initiative provided a stage for the discovery of incredibly talented individuals, many of whom had little opportunity to be heard or seen before. The response and outcome were beyond our expectations, and I am truly delighted by the impact” she said.
The contest, which quickly gained traction, drew commendations from scholars, leaders, and well-meaning Nigerians who urged Dr. Shetty and her team to sustain the effort.
She disclosed that social media platforms, particularly TikTok, played a vital role in amplifying the reach of the initiative.
“In less than two weeks after opening the #ReciteWithShetty TikTok account, we gathered nearly 15,000 followers, while some of our videos recorded over a million views,” she revealed.
According to Dr. Shetty, the initiative has not only showcased Nigeria’s rich talent in Qur’anic recitation but has also laid the foundation for a broader movement aimed at promoting morality and cultural values through digital platforms.
She assured that she and her team are already working towards sustaining and expanding the initiative to reach wider audiences.
Speaking at the event, the Honorable Commissioner for Environment and Climate Change, Dahir Muhammad Hashim, expressed delight at being part of what he described as a memorable occasion.
According to him, “We are in an era where what we see predominantly on social media is fake news and negative vices. This initiative is the first I have witnessed that is making such a positive impact through Qur’anic recitation on social media.”
Hashim commended Dr. Maryam Shetty for the initiative, offering prayers that all participants and beneficiaries would share in its rewards.
He also called for the sustainability of the program, stressing that the Kano State Government under Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf holds in high esteem any initiative related to the Qur’an and religious affairs.
“As part of my contribution, I have awarded N50,000 each to the winners,” he added.
The highlight of the ceremony was the presentation of prizes to the top contestants, Nuradeen Mua’zu from the FCT, Abuja emerged as the overall winner, receiving N1 million, Muhammad Khalid Idris from Bauchi State came second with N500,000, while Aisha Tahir Ibrahim from Jigawa State secured the third position with N250,000.
Speaking on behalf of the winners, Aisha Tahir Ibrahim expressed gratitude to Dr. Maryam Shetty and her team for initiating the competition, which she said amplified Qur’anic recitation through social media.
She also urged the Muslim Ummah to emulate Dr. Shetty by creating initiatives that promote Islamic teachings and morals globally.
KANO TIMES gathered that the contest, which ran from August 29 to September 2025, attracted over 1,000 participants. Contestants were judged based on rules of recitation, application of Tajweed, personal reflections on the verses recited, and the impact of the Qur’an on their lives.