King Salman Quran Memorization Competition 1447: Prizes worth 7 million riyals

In keeping with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's profound commitment to the Holy Quran, the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance announced the details of the 27th annual local competition for the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Award for Memorization, Recitation and Interpretation of the Holy Quran for boys and girls for the year 1447 AH. This competition, held under the generous patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, may God preserve him, reaffirms the Kingdom's continued adherence to the righteous path it has followed since its founding in serving the Two Holy Mosques and Islamic legal sources.

A historical legacy and ongoing care for the Holy Quran

This competition is not merely a fleeting annual event, but rather an extension of a rich historical legacy that began with the founder, King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al Saud—may God have mercy on him—who established the Holy Quran as the constitution and guiding principle of this blessed land. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is a global leader in serving the Holy Quran, whether through its printing at the King Fahd Complex for Printing the Holy Quran and distributing millions of copies, or through organizing local and international competitions that attract thousands of memorizers. The 27th edition of the competition, held in 1447 AH, reflects the wise leadership's commitment to strengthening Islamic identity and encouraging younger generations to adhere to the noble values ​​of the Quran.

Details of the million-dollar prizes and qualifying dates

The Ministry has allocated a substantial budget for the prizes for this competition, reflecting the high regard for those who memorize the Quran. The total prize money amounts to seven million Saudi Riyals, to be distributed among the winners in the various categories. The competition schedule has been meticulously planned, with preliminary rounds taking place in different regions of the Kingdom during the month of Sha'ban, culminating in the final rounds to be held in the capital, Riyadh, during the holy month of Ramadan 1447 AH. The highly anticipated date for honoring the male winners is the 2nd of Ramadan, while the closing ceremony and honoring of the female winners will be held on the 3rd of Ramadan.

The six branches of the competition: comprehensiveness and progression

The competition is distinguished by its comprehensiveness across different levels of memorization, opening the door for the largest possible number of participants to compete in this noble field. The branches are divided into:

• The first branch (elite): Memorizing the entire Holy Quran with good performance and intonation according to the seven transmitted readings from the path of Al-Shatibiyyah (narration and knowledge), and the prize for first place in it is 400,000 riyals.
• The second branch: Memorizing the entire Quran with recitation, intonation, and interpretation of the entire Quran’s vocabulary. This branch combines memorization and understanding.
• Third branch: Memorizing the entire Holy Quran with good performance and proper recitation.
• The fourth branch: Memorizing twenty consecutive parts while taking into account good performance and proper recitation.
• Fifth branch: Memorizing ten consecutive parts.
• The sixth branch: Memorizing five consecutive parts, which is intended for beginners and young people.

Educational and social dimensions of the competition

The King Salman Award for Quran Memorization transcends mere competition, reaching profound educational and social dimensions. It aims to connect young people with the Holy Quran, thereby strengthening their minds, promoting the values ​​of moderation and tolerance, and rejecting extremism and fanaticism. The competition also plays a pivotal role in enhancing young men's mastery of classical Arabic and developing their skills in recitation and reflection. Furthermore, competing in Quran memorization is considered one of the noblest forms of competition, instilling tranquility and benefiting the individual, society, and the nation.

Ministerial praise for leadership support

For his part, His Excellency the Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance, Sheikh Dr. Abdul Latif bin Abdulaziz Al-Sheikh, expressed his gratitude and appreciation to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince – may God protect them – for their generous and unlimited support of these competitions. His Excellency affirmed that the competition's continuation for more than a quarter of a century is conclusive proof of the utmost care the Kingdom devotes to the Book of God and its people, noting that the Ministry has dedicated all its technical and human resources to ensure the competition is presented in a manner befitting the Kingdom's stature and the name of the award's patron.