Female contestants make historic debut at King Abdulaziz International Qur’an Competition

MAKKAH — Female contestants are participating in the King Abdulaziz International Competition for the Memorization, Recitation and Interpretation of the Holy Qur’an for the first time in its history, as the winners of its 46th edition prepare to be honored in Makkah on Wednesday. Held under the patronage of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman, the awards ceremony will see Deputy Governor of Makkah Region Prince Saud bin Mishaal bin Abdulaziz honor the male winners on the King’s behalf at the Grand Mosque. Princess Fahda bint Falah Al Hithlain, wife of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, will separately honor the female winners at the Hilton Convention Hotel in Makkah. Organized by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance, the closing ceremony will be attended by princes, ministers, ambassadors, heads of participating delegations and government officials. The competition’s final rounds were held over several days at the Grand Mosque, with 334 male and female contestants from 133 countries competing before specialized Saudi and international judging panels who will also be honored. Winners will be honored across five categories: memorization of the entire Holy Qur’an with recitation, tajweed and qira’at; memorization of the entire Holy Qur’an with recitation, tajweed and interpretation; memorization of 20 consecutive juz’ with recitation and tajweed; memorization of 15 consecutive juz’ with recitation and tajweed; and memorization of five consecutive juz’ with recitation and tajweed. This year, the number of winners has increased to 50, with five male and five female winners in each of the five categories. The competition’s total prize money stands at SR10.26 million, underscoring its global standing and leading role in serving the Holy Qur’an and its people.