Doha, Qatar: Qatar will host the third edition of the international “Awwal Al-Awa’il” (First of the First) Quran competition from November 9 to 19, bringing together 42 of the world’s leading Quran memorizers to compete for the title and a top prize of QR1m.
Organised by the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs, the competition is the international branch of the Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammed bin Thani Holy Quran Competition. It brings together outstanding participants who have previously won top positions in recognised international or semi-international Quran competitions.
The 42 qualifiers were selected following preliminary online rounds held in July, which saw 82 participants from 33 countries take part out of 98 applicants representing 35 countries.
The in-person competition will take place at the Imam Muhammad bin Abdulwahhab Mosque in Doha, where participants will be assessed by an international panel of Quranic recitation and Tajweed experts.
Contestants will compete in memorising the entire Holy Quran with proper recitation and application of Tajweed rules. They will also be tested on their knowledge of the meanings of Quranic words using Al-Siraj fi Bayan Gharib Al-Quran, a reference work explaining uncommon Quranic vocabulary.
The assessment combines memorisation, accuracy of recitation, mastery of Tajweed and understanding of Quranic meanings, reflecting the competition’s emphasis on both technical proficiency and comprehension.
