‘In Search of Most Beautiful Recitation’ Motto of 2026 Dubai Int’l Quran Award
This initiative, according to organizers, aims to position the award among the most distinguished globally, reaffirming Dubai's role in serving the Holy Quran and solidifying its status as an international hub for honoring Quran memorizers worldwide.
The new edition, which will be the 28th, increased the prize value, with the total prizes exceeding AED12 million, and the first-place winner in each category (males and females) now receiving US$1 million.
For the first time, the award is open to female participants through a dedicated category, bringing the total number of award categories to three: full Quran memorization for males, full Quran memorization for females, and the Islamic Personality of the Year award.
The upcoming edition will also see expanded international participation, increase financial rewards for winners, update nomination, judging, and evaluation mechanisms, and allow for direct personal nominations alongside traditional nominations from the participant's country or accredited Islamic centers, in accordance with approved conditions.
These developments were announced during a press conference organized by the Dubai International Holy Quran Award at Creators HQ, Emirates Towers, Dubai.
The award requires participants—both male and female—to fully memorize the Holy Quran with proficiency, adhere to the rules of Tajweed and recitation, be no older than 16 years at the time of registration (previously 25 years), and not have reached the final stages or been honored in previous editions. Participants must also adhere to the specified testing schedule in terms of date and order.
The award tests are conducted in three stages, beginning with an initial evaluation of video recitations submitted electronically through the award’s website. This is followed by remote testing for those who qualify, and then the final stage, in which the top contestants are hosted in Dubai for in-person testing during the second week of Ramadan.
The award's submissions are open from May 21 to July 20. The initial evaluation phase will take place from July 1 to 31, 2025, the second phase (remote video evaluations) from September 1- 30, and the final evaluation phase (in-person judging and award ceremony) during the second week of Ramadan.
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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, and certified in at least seven or ten Quran readings if necessary.
The third category of the award is the Islamic Personality of the Year, an annual honor awarded to an individual or entity that meets key criteria: a significant role in serving Islam and Muslims, a positive and lasting societal impact, notable scholarly contributions, and a strong reputation as a role model in the Islamic world. The recipient receives a US$1 million prize.
Source: wam.ae
