Dubai: For the first time in the 21-year history of Dubai International Holy Quran Awards (DIHQA), 100 contestants from across the world will take part in the annual competition that begins on Friday.
One of the biggest competitions of its kind, in terms of prize money and participation, DIHQA has inspired hundreds of youngsters to take up memorisation of the Quran, particularly in the African countries, where the competition is very popular.
Spreading its reach further every passing year, the competition this year will have representation from 100 countries, up from 82 last year.
A brainchild of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the award was established in order to encourage young Muslims to memorise and understand the Quran, and to spread the Quranic values of peace and love.
The competition involves reciting eloquently the passages of the Quran from memory, with each contestant having to recite from five different passages randomly chosen by a computer software. It also has a segment for the most beautiful recitation.
“Participants need to perfectly memorise and eloquently recite the Quran in full, and should not be over 25 years old at the time of the contest, which sees stiff competition between participants from all over the globe,” said Ahmad Al Zahid, member of the organising committee and head of DIHQA’s media unit.
He added that the organisers had invited over 120 Islamic countries and foreign Islamic communities in Europe, America, Latin America, Africa, and Asia to participate in the award this year, with 100 countries agreeing to participate.
Participants from Saudi Arabia have won the competition for the last two years in a row, with Turki Bin Muqrin winning the 20th award last year, winning a prize money of Dh250,000.
The second and third prize winners walk away with Dh200,000 and Dh150,000, respectively.
Another important segment of DIHQA is the Islamic Personality of Year Award, the candidate for which has not been announced so far this year.
Last year, renowned Emirati Islamic scholar Shaikh Mohammad Ali Sultan Al Ulama won the coveted prize.
Over the years, the ‘Islamic Personality of the Year’ honour has been won by several prominent personalities from around the world including Shaikh Sudais, the Grand Imam of Masjid Al Haram in Makkah; American Islamic preacher Yousuf Estes; and UAE’s Mother of the Nation, Her Higheness Shaikha Fatima Bint Mubarak, who was honoured in 2015.
A series of lecture on the values of Quran as well as different aspects of Islam also forms a major part of DIHQA. The lectures started on the first day of Ramadan and will last for a week.
This year, renowned scholars like Omar Abdul Kafi, Shaikh Sulaiman Al Jibillan, Shaikh Salah Al Maghamzi and others have addressed the packed gatherings at Dubai Chamber.
For regular followers of DIHQA, it is an annual blessing they can’t wait to have. It means different things for different people. For many, it is an opportunity to revive their bond with the holy scripture, while for many others, it is the best way to spend the nights of Ramadan, soaking in the atmosphere of heavenly bliss.
The contest will begin on Friday and will last till the 19th of Ramadan, when the award ceremony will take place.
What: Dubai International Holy Quran Award
When: From Friday, 10.30pm onwards
Where: Dubai Chamber auditorium
