Women Participate for the First Time in the International Quran Competition
A historic event: for the first time, female contestants are participating in the 46th edition of the King Abdulaziz International Competition. The award ceremony will take place in Makkah under the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques.
A Historic Event in the Competition's History
The 46th edition of the King Abdulaziz International Competition for the Memorization, Recitation, and Interpretation of the Holy Quran marks a significant moment — for the first time in its history, female contestants are competing alongside men. This event symbolizes the expansion of opportunities and recognition of the importance of the female voice in the study and preservation of Islamic knowledge. The competition is held under the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman and is organized by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Call, and Guidance of Saudi Arabia.
Scope of Participation and Geography of the Competition
The final rounds of the competition gathered 334 participants from 133 countries around the world. The competitions took place in the Grand Mosque of Makkah before specialized panels of judges from Saudi Arabia and international experts. Such global representation underscores the importance and authority of the competition as a platform for recognizing the best Quran scholars regardless of gender, nationality, and faith of the participants.
Categories and Award System
The competition includes five main categories in which participants demonstrate different levels of mastery: memorization of the entire text of the Quran with recitation, tajweed, and variations of recitation; memorization of the entire text with recitation, tajweed, and interpretation; memorization of twenty consecutive parts with recitation and tajweed; memorization of fifteen parts; and memorization of five parts with recitation and tajweed. This year, the number of winners has been increased to 50 individuals — five men and five women in each category. The total prize fund amounts to 10.26 million riyals, reflecting the high status of the competition on the global stage.
Award Ceremony and Its Significance
The solemn award ceremony will take place in Makkah on Wednesday. The male winners will be awarded by the Deputy Governor of Makkah, Prince Saud bin Mishal bin Abdulaziz, on behalf of the King in the Grand Mosque. The female winners will receive their awards separately at the Hilton Convention Hotel in Makkah from Princess Fahda bint Falah Al-Hithlain, the wife of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques. The ceremony will be attended by princes, ministers, ambassadors, heads of delegations, and officials from various countries, confirming the international status of the event.
Questions and Answers
Why is the participation of women considered a historic moment?
For the first time in the history of the competition, women have been granted equal rights to participate and be awarded. This symbolizes inclusivity and recognition of the female contribution to the preservation and dissemination of Islamic knowledge on a global level.
How many countries are represented in the competition?
The 46th edition of the competition features 334 contestants from 133 countries around the world. Such broad geographical representation highlights the global significance of the competition and its role in uniting the Muslim community.
What is the total prize fund of the competition?
The total prize fund amounts to 10.26 million Saudi riyals. This is a significant sum that reflects the priority given by Saudi Arabia to the preservation and promotion of Islamic knowledge on the world stage.
