-- The 11th edition of the local Holy Quran award has seen a significant increase in the number of the contestants registered, a senior official said on Thursday.

Ahmed Sager Al Suwaidi, head of the award’s competitions section, said 328 competitors were in the fray, an increase of 128 over last year.

Al Suwaidi said all emirates, except Dubai, Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah, would select seven males and seven females for the award in the first round. The other three emirates will each choose a total of 28 nominees — 14 females and 14 males at two per category — as they have more centre’s.

The final round would be held in Dubai on February 20.

A four-member panel — two men and two women from Dubai — will judge the first rounds in Abu Dhabi on February 6, Dubai on February 7 and 10, Ajman and Umm Al Quwain on February 11, Al Ain on February 13, and Fujairah on February 14.

“The emirates of Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah are to hold the first rounds on their own,” Suwaidi said.

Prizes ranging from Dh3,000 to Dh30,000 will be distributed to winners at the concluding ceremony on March 10 and 11 this year.”

The competition, which is part of the Dubai International Holy Quran Award, is being held under the patronage of Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

While female Emirati contestants of any age may participate in any of the seven categories to encourage them to keep memorizing the Holy Quran, there is an age limit for expatriates.

“Male Emirati participants of any age may participate in the first category (complete Quran: all 30 parts of the Quran), but expatriate contestants should be below 21 years to compete in the same,” Al Suwaidi said.

“Similarly, there is no age limit for UAE participants in the second (20 parts) and third (10 parts) categories.

However, expatriate contestants must be below 21. The fourth category (5 parts) is only for nationals of any age, but expatriates must be below 10 to participate in the fifth category (5 parts). Emiratis below 10 may participate in the sixth category (3 parts).

Al Suwaidi added that 33 male and female contestants from the Holy Quran memorization centers and the General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Awqaf in Abu Dhabi would soon take their tests at the Abu Dhabi Holy Quran Centre.

Source: Khaleej Times