20/09/2026
Sheikh Muneer Satardien Honoured with Servant of the Holy Qur’aan Award
Cape Town: The Servant of the Holy Qur’aan Award 2026 has been conferred upon Sheikh Muneer Satardien, in recognition of his longstanding commitment to the teaching, recitation, promotion and advancement of the Holy Qur’aan in South Africa.
The award forms part of the International Qur’aan Recital Award (IQRA), an initiative of the South African Qur’aan Union and Madrasah Tarteelul Quraan aimed at promoting excellence in Qur’aan recitation and recognising individuals who have made a meaningful contribution to the study and service of the Qur’aan.
Sheikh Muneer Satardien’s association with the Qur’aan began at an early age when he commenced his memorisation under the guidance of the late Sheikh Yusuf Booley, one of Cape Town’s respected Qur’aan teachers. He later furthered his studies under renowned scholars of Egypt and elsewhere.
Over the years, Sheikh Muneer has established himself as an accomplished Qur’aan reciter and teacher, with his service extending well beyond the classroom. He has been actively involved in Qur’aan competitions, public recitation programmes, media platforms and educational initiatives, using these opportunities to promote greater appreciation and engagement with the Qur’aan.
Sheikh Muneer also serves as the Director of the El Masarawi Centre South Africa under the guidance of the internationally recognised Qur’aan scholar, Dr Ahmad Essa El Masarawi and Dr Muhammad Fouad Abdul Majeed. His work through the centre has become an important part of his contribution. Under Sheikh Muneer’s direction, the centre has focused on developing students in Hifdh and Qiraa’aat, a number of whom have gone on to participate in and achieve success in local and international Qur’aan competitions.
The award therefore recognises not only Sheikh Muneer’s ability as a Qur'aan reciter, but the broader spectrum of service- teaching, mentoring, judging, promoting and creating opportunities for the next generation of Qur’aan reciters and memorizers.
The organisers of IQRA 2026 expressed their appreciation for Sheikh Muneer Satardien’s contribution to the Qur’aan landscape of South Africa and acknowledged the importance of recognising individuals whose sustained efforts help preserve, develop and transmit this valuable tradition to future generations.
The Servant of the Holy Qur’aan Award was launched in 2008 as a section of the then National Qur’aan Awards and has since been used to recognise South Africans who have made notable contributions to the study, teaching, recitation and service of the Holy Qur’aan.
