Dubai Quran award to honour best boy and girl reciters with $1 million each

Dubai: In a historic move, the Dubai International Holy Quran Award (DIHQA) has announced that its 28^th edition will, for the first time, include a dedicated category for female reciters, offering $1 million each to the top boy and girl reciters.

This is part of a transformation of the popular award that also sees the total prize pool exceed Dh12 million (approx. $3.3 million)—the highest in the award’s history.

The recipient of the Islamic Personality of the Year award will also be honoured with a prize of $1 million.

Open to all nationalities, the award allows participants to register personally or through nominations by accredited Quranic institutions in their respective countries. The age limit has been lowered from 25 to 16 years, encouraging younger participants globally.

This year’s theme, “In search of the most beautiful Quran recitation,” reflects the award’s renewed vision to identify and honour the most gifted Quranic voices worldwide.

Participants can now register for three categories of the award:

Full Quran memorisation for males

Full Quran memorisation for females (new)

Islamic Personality of the Year

Participants must not have reached the final stages or been honoured in a previous edition of the award.

Entrants must submit a three-minute Quran recitation video demonstrating Tajweed, memorisation, and performance.

They must adhere to the specified testing schedule in terms of date and order.

Applications open: Till July 20

Initial video assessments: July 1–31

Remote testing: September 1–30

Final in-person judging in Dubai: Second week of Ramadan 2026

Each stage is designed to identify exceptional Quranic talent through a rigorous and transparent evaluation.

Judges qualified in at least seven or ten Quranic readings will be selected from among leading international scholars.

The judging committee for the Dubai International Holy Quran Award for both males and females consists of five members, including the chairman and vice-chairman, along with a sixth member (reserve). Judges are required to be proficient in Quran memorization, well-versed in Tajweed rules and recitation principles.

They should have prior experience in judging international competitions, with exceptions made for recognised scholars in Quranic readings. Judges must adhere to the award's judging regulations and be able to operate electronic devices.

The Islamic Personality of the Year award, the third category, honours a living individual or institution making a significant and positive contribution to the Islamic world. The expansion of the award not only reinforces Dubai’s leadership in Islamic initiatives but also positions the award as a truly inclusive and globally significant platform, officials said while announcing the details of the award.

Ahmed Darwish Al Muhairi, Director General of the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department in Dubai and Chairman of the DIHQA Board of Trustees, said: “By the grace of Allah and the patronage and support of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the Dubai International Holy Quran Award has become a prestigious global platform for honouring Quran memorisers and promoting the noble values of Islam, such as tolerance, peace, and moderation."

“We look forward to this edition continuing the award's ongoing success in encouraging new generations to memorise the Holy Quran and contemplate its meanings,” Al Muhairi added.

Since its launch in 1997, the Dubai International Holy Quran Award has hosted 2,107 participants from 91 countries, earning global respect for its organisation and spiritual mission. This edition, with its expanded vision, increased rewards, and inclusive structure, is expected to be the most widely participated yet.