Makkah: The Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance has concluded the final rounds of the 46th King Abdulaziz International Competition for Memorizing, Reciting, and Interpreting the Holy Quran. The competition lasted six days, during which the two judging panels for male and female contestants listened to the recitations of 334 participants representing 133 countries from around the world.
According to Saudi Press Agency, the final rounds featured high levels of memorization, mastery, recitation quality, and performance, with male and female memorizers of the Holy Quran competing against one another. The current edition introduced several notable developments, most notably the participation of female contestants for the first time in the competition's history. The electronic judging system was enhanced to improve the accuracy of the judging panels' work, transparency in score calculation, and the efficiency of evaluation procedures. The edition also saw advances in organizational aspects and listening and judging mechanisms.
The total value of prizes for the current edition reached SAR10.26 million, while the number of male and female winners increased to 50, with five winners in each of the competition's five categories. This reflects the continued care and support extended to the competition and memorizers of the Holy Quran. The judging process involved a selection of specialists in Quranic sciences from several countries. The male and female judging panels conducted their work through a system combining academic expertise and modern technologies. The male contestants' final rounds were held at the Grand Mosque, while the female contestants' rounds took place at the competition venue.
Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance and General Supervisor of Local and International Quranic Competitions Sheikh Dr. Abdullatif Al Alsheikh praised the Saudi leadership's support for the competition and its continued care for the Holy Quran and those who memorize it. The competition's closing ceremony will be held on Wednesday at the Grand Mosque to honor the male and female winners in the competition's five categories.
The King Abdulaziz International Competition for Memorizing, Reciting, and Interpreting the Holy Quran is one of the world's leading international Quran competitions. It brings together memorizers of the Holy Quran from countries around the world in Makkah, reflecting Saudi Arabia's care for the Quran and its memorizers and its encouragement of successive generations to memorize, recite, and contemplate its verses.