Judgments and prizes make DIHQA top contest

The technical judgments and the incentives given to the competitors of the Dubai International Holy Quran Award have made it the leading Quran recitation contest worldwide, said a Muslim scholar.

"There is no Quran recitation contest like the DIHQA. It is unique in two major factors, the technical committee which examines the contestants and the financial and moral incentives that are granted to the contenders," said Shaikh Ahmad Eisa Al Ma'asarawi, head of the contest's judging panel.

In some other contests, connections or acquaintances of the participants, sometimes, play a role in choosing the contender.

Meanwhile, in DIHQA the competitor has to undergo a primary examination session and if he shows eligibility and class, he will be allowed to participate explained Shaikh Al Ma'asarawi.

The judging panel is very strict and maintains a certain standard with the participant's recitation, in terms of intonations, letters and signs, he said.

"The DIHQA committee starts searching for the eligible participants directly after the Award ends," he added.

The Head of the Judging Panel lauded General Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai Crown Prince and UAE Defence Minister, for supporting the DIHQA.

"The financial prizes and particularly the first, Dh250,000, could change the life of a person. It motivates the individual to memorise the Holy Book," said Shaikh Al Ma'asarawi.