The Governor of Riyadh honors the winners of the King Salman Award for Quran Memorization 27
On behalf of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud - may God protect him - His Royal Highness Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz, Governor of Riyadh Region, sponsored yesterday evening the closing ceremony to honor the winners of the local competition for the King Salman bin Abdulaziz Award for Memorization, Recitation and Interpretation of the Holy Qur’an for Boys in its twenty-seventh session, which was organized by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance in the capital, Riyadh.
Royal care and attention to the youth
This generous patronage underscores the profound care that the wise leadership of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia bestows upon the Holy Quran, and encourages young people to engage with it through recitation, memorization, and contemplation. This award holds special significance and a distinguished place in the hearts of the Kingdom's citizens, not only because it bears the name of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, but also because it represents a fundamental pillar in strengthening Islamic identity and nurturing a generation committed to the teachings of their noble faith.
A long career and fair competition
This year's award witnessed fierce competition and broad participation from across the Kingdom's various regions and provinces. The preliminary rounds attracted over 3,600 contestants, a number reflecting the growing interest and genuine desire of Saudi youth to engage with the Holy Quran. Of these, 129 contestants qualified for the final round, vying for the honor of winning this prestigious award, which boasts substantial cash prizes totaling seven million riyals. This underscores the significant support and encouragement provided to those who memorize the Holy Quran.
Consolidating the values of moderation and centrism
During the ceremony, His Excellency the Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance, Sheikh Dr. Abdul Latif bin Abdulaziz Al-Sheikh, affirmed that this competition transcends mere memorization, serving as a strategic national project aimed at cultivating a generation armed with the values of the Holy Quran and committed to the principles of moderation and balance. He pointed out that paying attention to the Holy Quran and reflecting upon its meanings is a strong shield for youth against deviant ideologies and foreign influences, as it contributes to strengthening national belonging and loyalty to the rulers, and building a balanced Islamic personality that serves its religion and society with awareness and sincerity.
Crowning the winners
In his address, His Royal Highness the Prince of Riyadh expressed his pride and honor in sponsoring this auspicious occasion on behalf of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, offering his congratulations to the winners on their remarkable achievement. The ceremony included moving recitations by the contestants and a visual presentation documenting the award's history and statistics. In conclusion, His Royal Highness Prince Faisal bin Bandar honored the members of the judging panel and the winners in the six competition categories, presenting them with cash prizes and commemorative shields. The Minister of Education, Yousef Al-Bunyan, and a number of dignitaries, officials, and parents were also in attendance.
