Abu Dhabi: SiltaNews – News Desk
The Dubai International Holy Quran Award (DIHQA), affiliated with the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department in Dubai, announced the launch of the 26th edition of the Sheikha Hind bint Maktoum Holy Quran Competition for the year 2025. The competition is held under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Hind bint Maktoum bin Juma Al Maktoum, wife of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
This competition is one of the most prominent local Quran competitions organized annually by the award, and it attracts wide participation from citizens and residents of various nationalities in the UAE in one of the largest Quranic gatherings in the country.
The preliminary rounds for the competition begin in October, while registration continues until the end of September through the award’s official website, Shq.quran.gov.ae, whether individually or through nominations from accredited Quranic authorities.
His Excellency Ahmed Darwish Al Muhairi, Director General of the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department in Dubai and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Dubai International Holy Quran Award, expressed his deep gratitude for the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Hind bint Maktoum bin Juma Al Maktoum for the competition.
This patronage embodies Dubai’s vision of supporting Quran memorizers and empowering Quranic role models, in line with the leadership’s approach to promoting Islamic identity. Al Muhairi described the competition as a pioneering Quranic beacon that contributes to consolidating the country’s position in serving the Book of Allah and graduating distinguished memorizers. He pointed out that the competition has educational and societal dimensions that strengthen the generations’ connection to the Holy Quran and its noble values.
Ibrahim Jassim Al Mansouri, Acting Director of the Dubai International Holy Quran Award, affirmed that the competition is moving forward in achieving its noble goals. He pointed out that the continued support of Her Highness Sheikha Hind bint Maktoum bin Juma Al Maktoum for the competition embodies the leadership’s vision to instill authentic Islamic values and strengthen the UAE’s position as a beacon for spreading the Holy Quran and nurturing its memorizers.
The competition aims to instill a love for the Holy Quran in people’s hearts, encourage its memorization and recitation among members of society, and honor distinguished Quranic models. It also aims to train qualified Quran memorizers to represent the UAE in international forums, thus reflecting the UAE’s civilized image in serving the Holy Quran and its people.
The competition allows participation in seven different categories, including memorizing the entire Holy Quran, and parts of “Amma,” three, five, ten, and twenty. The different ages of the participating categories, males and females, are taken into account, with the condition that the applicant be a citizen or resident of the country and not have previously qualified for the same category in the finals.
The preliminary rounds will be held via videoconference, with the best participants in each category being shortlisted to compete in the finals, which will be held in person at the award’s headquarters. The men’s competition will run from November 15 to 20, while the women’s rounds will be held from November 22 to 27 before specialized judging panels. The competition is a continuation of the award’s role in supporting Quranic initiatives, in line with its strategy to build a conscious, believing community and strengthen religious and national identity, reflecting the emirate’s commitment to leadership in caring for those who memorize the Holy Book.