UAE Hosts Global Quran Memorisation Competition
The 26th Sheikha Hind bint Maktoum Holy Quran Competition, organised by the Dubai International Holy Quran Award under the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department (IACAD), has entered its final round of the preliminary stage. The event, which is being held at the Award’s headquarters in Dubai, will continue until October 23. This competition brings together a diverse group of male and female Quran memorisers from across the UAE, highlighting the UAE’s role as a global centre for Quranic scholarship.
The competition, one of the most significant initiatives of the Dubai International Holy Quran Award, serves as a platform to promote Islamic values while reinforcing the UAE’s commitment to serving the holy Quran and its sciences. It encourages participants, both men and women, to hone their skills in memorisation, recitation, and the correct application of Tajweed rules. Contestants are judged on the quality of their memorisation, their vocal performance, and their adherence to the rules of recitation, ensuring a structured approach to Quranic learning.
This year’s preliminary phase attracted more than 1,660 participants, comprising 868 men and 798 women from various emirates across the country. Of these, 1,514 met the competition’s eligibility criteria, with a nearly equal gender distribution of 793 males and 721 females. Participants came from 55 different nationalities, with Emiratis making up the largest group (1,028 participants). Contestants from Egypt, India, Pakistan, Syria, and many other countries also participated, reflecting the UAE’s cultural and spiritual diversity.
Ibrahim Jassim Al Mansoori, Acting Director of the Dubai International Holy Quran Award, remarked that this year’s competition has seen an unprecedented level of engagement, underlining the strong connection the event has with the community. He noted that the support from Sheikha Hind bint Maktoum bin Juma Al Maktoum, whose patronage continues to inspire greater involvement in Quranic learning, is vital to the competition’s success.
Al Mansoori also highlighted technological advancements introduced in this year’s edition, including the use of digital tools to evaluate memorisation and recitation in real-time. These innovations ensure fairness, transparency, and accuracy in the judging process, allowing participants to showcase their abilities under optimal conditions.
The growing participation in the competition reflects the success of the Dubai International Holy Quran Award and IACAD’s ongoing efforts to promote Quranic culture. It also underscores the long-lasting impact of Sheikha Hind’s initiatives in advancing Quranic education and fostering a strong foundation for future generations of Quran memorisers. The event plays a key role in further cementing Dubai’s position as a global hub for the Quranic sciences.
For those interested in exploring other cultural events in Dubai, check out the opening of the 30th season of Global Village with spectacular fireworks here.
Additionally, if you’re looking for more news about Dubai’s role in global trade and innovation, this article discusses how the Dubai Gold and Commodities Exchange is shaping the UAE’s future in the global gold market.
