The 29th edition of the Dubai International Holy Quran Award has achieved a historic milestone, drawing 20,500 applications from 135 countries. This unprecedented level of interest represents the most extensive international participation in the history of the competition, which operates under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai.
The surge in participation is attributed to the success of the award’s new developmental vision, titled “In Search of the Most Beautiful Quran Recitation in the World.” This initiative has fundamentally transformed the competition by allowing direct personal applications alongside the traditional nomination process through home countries or accredited Islamic centers. This change has provided talented individuals with greater flexibility to showcase their skills on a global stage.
Ahmed Darwish Al Muhairi, Director-General of the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department in Dubai and Chairman of the Board of Trustees, stated that Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s vision has turned Dubai into a global hub for learning, memorizing, and promoting the Holy Quran. He noted that the record-breaking turnout confirms the award is reaching new, inspiring horizons while strengthening the bond between future generations and Quranic values.
The competition has introduced the largest prize pool in its history, exceeding Dhs12 million. Top honors include $1 million for the first-place winner in the Male Category (Over 16 years old) and $1 million for the winner of the Male and Female Category (Under 16 years old). Second and third-place winners in these categories will receive $100,000 and $50,000 respectively, while the Global Quranic Personality will be awarded $1 million.
Geographically, the applications span a diverse range of nations. Egypt leads with 6,838 entries, followed by Indonesia with 1,923, Pakistan with 1,862, and Syria with 1,511. In terms of demographics, the Male Category (Over 16) accounted for 14,040 applications, while the Under 16 category saw 6,495 participants, including 2,394 female applicants.
A rigorous evaluation process is currently underway, with judges assessing candidates based on Tajweed, vocal excellence, and recitation quality. For the Under 16 category, a second stage involving live video judging will take place from September 1 to 14, 2026. Finalists from both categories will then move to a public voting phase scheduled for February 8 to 16, 2027.
As part of a new initiative, a select group of finalists will be invited to Dubai during the holy month of Ramadan to lead Taraweeh prayers at major mosques. The final winners will be announced during the award’s closing ceremony, which is set for the second week of Ramadan in 2027.
The award has built a strong global legacy over its previous 28 editions, having seen 7,826 contestants from 123 countries participate since its inception. To date, the organization has distributed over AED67 million in prize money and recognized 24 individuals and three institutions with the Global Quranic Personality Award. The report also notes that today, with these record numbers of participants, the award’s impact extends across a vast geographical and human landscape around the world. The report also notes that generating exceptional engagement with the Award and the outstanding Quranic voices participating throughout every stage,” he said, its influence now goes far beyond participation figures. The report also notes that the Dubai International Holy Quran Award has firmly established its global standing through achievements spanning 28 editions. The report also notes that including Arab and Islamic countries as well as Muslim communities in non-Muslim nations across every continent, applications were received from a broad international landscape. The report also notes that vocal excellence, recitation quality, and overall performance, with judging panels currently selecting the finest voices to advance to the next stages, all applications received by the award are undergoing a rigorous preliminary evaluation process based on the highest standards of Tajweed.
Source: Gulf Today
