Dubai opens global search for world’s most beautiful Quran recitation
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid launches international award with Dh12million prize pool
DUBAI – His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, has launched the 29th edition of the Dubai International Holy Quran Award (1448H-2027), marking a new chapter for one of the world's most prestigious Quran competitions.
The launch follows the introduction of the Award's new developmental vision, "In Search of the Most Beautiful Quran Recitation in the World," which was unveiled during the previous edition. With an expanded international focus, revised competition categories and total prize money exceeding Dh12 million, the latest edition aims to strengthen Dubai's role in serving the Holy Quran and recognising exceptional reciters and memorisers from across the globe.
The latest edition builds on a series of significant enhancements introduced under the Award's new vision, positioning it among the world's leading Quran awards while reinforcing Dubai's long-standing commitment to honouring those who preserve and beautifully recite the Holy Quran.
New vision
Announcing the new edition, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid said: "By the grace and blessings of Allah, today we launch the new edition of the Dubai International Holy Quran Award. We are searching for the world's most beautiful Quran recitations to honour their reciters, pray behind them, and recognise them next Ramadan."
He added: "The words of Allah are light, guidance, and mercy. For 29 years, we have honoured the memorisers of the Holy Quran, and will continue this noble tradition and enduring journey. We pray that Allah accepts our good deeds and yours."
The 29th edition introduces a series of qualitative enhancements designed to expand international participation while updating the Award's categories and eligibility requirements. The competition now comprises the Male Category (Over 16 years old), the Male and Female Category (Under 16 years old), and the Global Quranic Personality category.
Building on the momentum of the previous edition, organisers have announced total prize money exceeding Dh12 million. The first-place winner in the Male Category (Over 16 years old) will receive $1 million, while the first-place winner in the Male and Female Category (Under 16 years old) will also receive $1 million. The recipient of the Global Quranic Personality Award will likewise receive $1 million during the closing ceremony.
Public participation
One of the most notable additions to this year's edition is a new initiative aimed at increasing public engagement with the Award.
A select group of outstanding contestants who qualify for the second stage of the competition will be invited to Dubai during the holy month of Ramadan to lead Taraweeh prayers at major mosques across the emirate. Members of the public will then vote to select the world's most beautiful Quran recitation from among these participants.
The Award is also expanding participation opportunities by allowing direct personal applications alongside the traditional nomination process through a contestant's home country or an accredited Islamic centre, provided applicants meet the approved eligibility requirements. Organisers said the move further strengthens the Award's position as a leading international platform for Quranic excellence.
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, said the launch of the 29th edition under the patronage of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid reflects Dubai's enduring commitment to serving the Holy Quran and honouring its reciters and memorisers.
He said the Award continues the UAE's civilisational message by placing humanitarian values at the heart of community development while reinforcing Dubai's position as a global destination for excellence and innovation, particularly in serving the Holy Quran.
Al Muhairi noted that the previous edition marked an unprecedented strategic milestone with the launch of the comprehensive developmental vision, "In Search of the Most Beautiful Quran Recitation in the World."
According to him, the 29th edition builds on that momentum through significant improvements to competition categories and eligibility requirements, creating wider opportunities for Quranic talent worldwide.
He said the additions are intended to nurture an inspiring Quranic generation that combines precision in recitation with excellence in performance while reflecting the values of tolerance and the noble message of Islam.
Al Muhairi also highlighted the newly introduced community engagement initiative, saying the Award is moving beyond the boundaries of traditional competition by allowing distinguished contestants who reach the advanced stages to lead Taraweeh prayers at Dubai's major mosques.
He said the initiative is expected to create a unique spiritual atmosphere during Ramadan while enabling the public to interact directly with the competition through voting for the most beautiful Quran recitation.
Dubai International Holy Quran Award
Across its 28 previous editions, the Dubai International Holy Quran Award has established a distinguished international record. Since its launch in 1997, the Award has attracted 7,826 contestants from 123 countries, distributed more than Dh67 million in prize money, and honoured 24 individuals and three institutions with the Global Quranic Personality Award.
Following the launch of its developmental vision in the previous edition, organisers have continued to strengthen the Award's organisational and technical framework, refine judging standards and broaden international participation to provide an exceptional competitive environment for memorisers and distinguished reciters.
These efforts continue to reinforce Dubai's standing as a global centre for promoting Islamic values and supporting the Holy Quran and those dedicated to it.
The Award seeks to encourage male and female memorisers of the Holy Quran and distinguished reciters to compete in preserving, mastering and beautifully reciting the Holy Quran. It also aims to inspire younger generations to embrace the Holy Quran, deepen their understanding of its sciences and adhere to its teachings through religious, cultural and community initiatives that promote Quran memorisation among future generations.
In addition, the Award recognises individuals and institutions that have made outstanding contributions to the Holy Quran and its sciences through the Global Quranic Personality honour.
Eligibility rules
For the Male Category (Over 16 years old), applicants must have memorised the Holy Quran, demonstrate mastery of Tajweed, possess a beautiful voice and outstanding recitation performance, and have been born on or before 31 May 2010.
Applicants must also not have previously reached the final stage or received honours in any earlier edition of the Award.
For the Male and Female Category (Under 16 years old), participants must demonstrate mastery in Quran recitation, adhere to the rules of Tajweed, possess a beautiful voice and excellent recitation skills, and have been born on or after 1 June 2010.
They must also not have previously reached the final stage or been honoured in any previous edition. Participants are additionally required to comply with their assigned examination schedules, including the designated dates and order of evaluation.
Registration for the new edition has officially opened.
Applicants can submit their entries through the Award's official website by completing the electronic application form, uploading a passport copy and personal photograph, and submitting a video of a Quran recitation from any passage of the Holy Quran.
The submitted video must have clear audio, be of suitable quality and must not exceed three minutes in length.
Applications will be accepted from 7 July 2026 until 15 August 2026.
Competition stages
The evaluation process for the Male Category (Over 16 years old) consists of two stages.
The first stage, running from 7 July to 15 August 2026, will select contestants with the most melodious voices based on a three-minute video recitation. Participants will be assessed according to vocal beauty, recitation quality and adherence to the rules of Tajweed.
The second stage will determine the winner of the world's most beautiful Quran recitation.
A selected group of outstanding contestants will be invited to Dubai during Ramadan to lead Taraweeh prayers at major mosques before members of the public vote to determine the winner.
This stage will take place between 8 and 16 February 2027.
The Male and Female Category (Under 16 years old) will feature three evaluation stages.
The first stage, scheduled from 7 July to 15 August 2026, mirrors the initial assessment used in the adult category, with contestants evaluated on a three-minute recitation based on vocal quality, performance and Tajweed.
The second stage will be held from 1 to 14 September 2026 through live virtual assessments conducted via direct video calls.
The third and final stage will consist of public voting to determine the world's most beautiful Quran recitation and will run from 8 to 16 February 2027.
The Award's closing ceremony will take place during the second week of the holy month of Ramadan.
During the ceremony, organisers will honour the winners in each competition category as well as the recipient of the Global Quranic Personality Award, selected from individuals who have made outstanding contributions to serving Islam and Muslims, demonstrated meaningful societal impact and positive community engagement, and produced distinguished scholarly achievements characterised by originality and excellence.
The competition offers total prize money exceeding Dh12 million.
The first-place winners in both the Male Category (Over 16 years old) and the Male and Female Category (Under 16 years old) will each receive $1 million.
Second-place winners in both categories will receive $100,000, while third-place winners will each receive $50,000.
The Global Quranic Personality Award will also carry a prize of $1 million.