King Abdulaziz International Qur’an competition opens with record field, first standalone women’s contest
Riyadh: The King Abdulaziz International Competition for the Memorization, Recitation and Interpretation of the Holy Qur’an opens its 46th edition in Makkah on Thursday, drawing 334 contestants from 133 countries — the biggest turnout since the event was founded some four decades ago.
Held under the patronage of King Salman and organized by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance, the competition runs from Aug 6 to 19.
Organizers describe its purpose as encouraging young Muslims, both men and women, to take up the Qur’an through memorization, comprehension and reflection, fostering honorable competition, binding a new generation to the text, and underlining Saudi Arabia’s role in serving the Qur’an and supporting those who commit it to memory.
This year marks a first as the women’s division will hold its own separate competition and closing ceremony at the Hilton Convention Hotel in Makkah. The men’s final rounds and closing ceremony take place within the Grand Mosque. Organizers cast the change as a reflection of both the contest’s growth and its widening international participation, along with greater recognition of women's place in Muslim society.
