THE Muslim Youth Organisation (MYO) of Guyana will host the Grand Finals of the National Qaseeda Competition 2026 on Saturday, September 12, at the MYO Complex, Woolford Avenue, Georgetown, at 18:30hrs.
The grand finals represent the culmination of an initiative aimed at reviving the rich tradition of Qaseeda singing in Guyana and contributing to the preservation and promotion of the Urdu language.
The competition has provided a national platform for male and female participants in Junior and Senior categories to showcase their talents while helping to rekindle interest in an art form that has been part of the religious and cultural heritage of Guyanese Muslims for generations.
Qaseeda, through Urdu poetry and melody, has historically been an important means through which Muslims have expressed love for the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him).
While the tradition has waned over the years, the enthusiastic response to the 2026 competition has demonstrated that there remains considerable interest in its revival and preservation.
The Patron of the National Qaseeda Competition is His Excellency Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali, President of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, an ardent lover of Qaseeda and a supporter of efforts to revive the art form and promote the preservation of the Urdu language in Guyana and the wider Caribbean.
Following the preliminary stage of the competition, the successful contestants will now come together for the much-anticipated Grand Finals, competing for national honours and significant cash prizes ranging from $500,000.00 to $100,000.00. Consolation prizes will also be awarded.
Ten contestants will compete in the Senior category and five in the Junior.
Beyond the 2026 national competition, the MYO is already looking towards a Regional/International Qaseeda Competition in 2027, with Guyana being the host. This proposal is expected to bring together participants from Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, Suriname, the United States of America, Canada and England.
The initiative is intended to strengthen cultural ties among Muslim communities, create opportunities for young Qaseeda singers, and develop a sustainable regional platform for the preservation of Qaseeda and the Urdu language.
The grand finals on September 12 will therefore represent more than the conclusion of a competition. It will be a celebration of faith, culture, language, youth, heritage and the continuity of a treasured tradition.
The MYO recognises the important role of the media in documenting and preserving Guyana’s cultural heritage and respectfully invites television, radio, print and digital media organisations, journalists, photographers and content creators to attend and provide coverage of the Grand Finals.
The Muslim Youth Organisation expresses its appreciation to all participants, parents, judges, volunteers, sponsors, supporters and members of the public who have contributed to the success of this initiative. (MYO)
