The final stage of the 30th Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammed bin Thani Noble Quran Competition is underway in Doha, Qatar, with public recitations held Saturday and Sunday at the Imam Muhammad bin Abdul Wahhab Mosque. Contestants are vying for top honors in categories ranging from partial to full memorization of the Holy Quran, representing both Qatari citizens and residents. The competition, a significant event in the Islamic world, aims to encourage Quranic studies and foster a deeper connection with Islamic teachings.
The competitions began with preliminary rounds and have now narrowed to a select group of memorizers who will present their recitations before a distinguished panel of judges. The Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs is organizing the event, which draws participants from numerous countries. This year’s competition highlights Qatar’s commitment to preserving and promoting the Quran.
Judging and Categories in the Noble Quran Competition
An international panel of Quranic scholars is evaluating the contestants, focusing on accuracy, pronunciation, and adherence to the rules of Tajwid. Sheikh Dr. Ahmed Isa Al Masrawi, a prominent figure in Egyptian Quranic recitation, chairs the panel. Other judges include Sheikh Muhammad Hassan Bousso from Senegal, Sheikh Dr. Bilal Baroudi from Lebanon, Sheikh Muhammad Yahya Taher from Qatar, and Sheikh Fahd Ahmed Al Mohamad, representing the Competition’s Organizing Committee.
Separate judging panels are also assessing female contestants at the Women’s Activity Center of the Department of Dawah and Religious Guidance in Al Wab. These panels consist of experienced female masters of the Holy Quran. The competition is divided into three main categories: full memorization, partial memorization for citizens, and partial memorization for residents.
Qualified Contestants
According to a statement from the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs, five Qatari citizens qualified in the citizens’ category for the final public stage. These include Muhammad Abdullah Muhammad Blaydeh, Muhammad Ahmad Muhammad Abdulrahim Al Haram, Ibrahim Muhammad Hashim Al Mashhadani, Abdulaziz Abdullah Ali Al Hamri, and Hamad Abdullah Tais Al Jumaili.
Additionally, five contestants residing in Qatar advanced as partial memorizers: Ismail Hafiz Muhammad Elias, Saad Abdulstar Abu Said, both from Bangladesh; Nasser Nahid Deeb from the United States; Khalid Hafiz Muhammad Fakhr Al Huda, also from Bangladesh; and Abdulaziz Fahd Muhammad Abdu Al Hosali from Yemen. Five individuals also qualified in the full memorization category, representing Libya, the United States, Egypt, Yemen, and Tunisia.
In the women’s competition, five Qatari citizens – Amina Dismal Mubarak Khalaf Al Kuwari, Umm Al Rahman Abdulrahim Ahmad Mahmoud Tahan, Sarah Ali Ibrahim Ahmad Al Shaib, Amina Abdulrahim Ahmad Mahmoud Tahan, and Mariam Muhammad Khalil Bahaa Al Din Al Maraghi – reached the final stage in the citizens’ category. Three female contestants qualified in the partial memorization category, and five in the full memorization category, with Bangladesh and Egypt being prominently represented among the qualifiers. This demonstrates a growing interest in Quranic recitation and memorization among women.
The schedule for the final days of the competition includes partial memorizers competing in the morning session on Saturday, followed by citizen memorizers in the evening. Sunday’s evening session will be dedicated to the qualifiers in the full memorization category. The competition provides a platform for showcasing talent in Quran studies and promoting religious values.
The Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs has invested significantly in organizing this year’s Noble Quran Competition, providing resources and support to both contestants and judges. This investment reflects the importance placed on preserving the Quran and encouraging its study within Qatar and the wider Islamic community. The event also contributes to Qatar’s cultural landscape and its reputation as a center for Islamic learning.
Following the final recitations on Sunday, the judging panels will deliberate to determine the top five winners in each category. The announcement of the winners and the award ceremony are expected to take place in the coming days, though a specific date has not yet been confirmed. Observers anticipate a high level of competition and a challenging task for the judges in selecting the most deserving recipients of the competition’s honors. The outcome of the competition will likely influence future initiatives aimed at promoting Quran memorization and recitation.
