The Dubai International Quran Award, affiliated with the Dubai Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department (IACAD), honored the winners of the Sheikha Hind bint Maktoum Quran Competition in its 26th edition for 2025. The competition is recognized as one of the most prominent Quranic contests in the UAE, serving as a leading platform to encourage youth to memorize the Holy Quran, perfect its recitation, and instill Islamic values within the community.

This year’s edition celebrated 112 winners—56 males and 56 females—across seven categories, including full Quran memorization, memorization of twenty parts, ten parts for citizens, ten parts for residents, five parts for citizens, three parts for citizens, and Juz ‘Amma for citizens. The diverse categories provide opportunities for different groups of memorization enthusiasts to participate and showcase their skills.

The 26th edition recorded 1,666 participants of various ages and backgrounds, including 868 males and 798 females, representing 55 nationalities from Arab, Asian, African, and European countries. This reflects the competition’s growing reputation and its pivotal role in promoting Quranic memorization and mastery in society.

Emirati nationals led the participants with 1,028 participants, representing 61% of the total, marking the highest citizen participation in the competition’s history. This indicates the increasing interest among UAE youth in memorizing the Quran and engaging in national Quranic initiatives.

His Excellency Ahmed Darwish Al Muhairi, Director-General of IACAD and Chairman of the Award Board, affirmed that the presence of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum at the Quranic event during Ramadan highlights the commitment to instilling Islamic identity and values in generations, encouraging them to memorize the Holy Quran and adhere to its teachings.

He also praised the generous patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Hind bint Maktoum bin Juma Al Maktoum, which has established the competition as an effective platform for connecting generations with the essence of Islam and nurturing a generation proud of its identity and values. His Excellency emphasized IACAD’s and the Dubai International Quran Award’s commitment to promoting initiatives that reinforce noble religious and societal values.

Meanwhile, Ibrahim Jasim Al Mansoori, Acting Director of the Dubai International Quran Award, stated that the competition forms a cornerstone of Dubai’s Quranic initiatives, supporting the discovery and development of Quranic talents. He noted that developments in this edition, including individual nominations, electronic judging, and a digital registration platform, reflect the Award’s commitment to adopting modern technology and facilitating participation for all segments of society.

He added that the diversity of participant nationalities and the broad base of competitors confirm the international status the competition has achieved, enhancing the presence of the Holy Quran in individual and community life, in line with Dubai’s mission to support Quranic initiatives and promote moderate Islamic values.

The 26th edition also introduced several significant developments, including a judging committee composed entirely of qualified Emirati citizens, and the creation of two new categories for citizens—ten parts and Juz ‘Amma—for the first time, expanding participation and encouraging more UAE youth to engage in Quranic paths.

Additionally, this year’s competition allowed participation through individual nominations as well as nominations via accredited Quranic institutions in the UAE. A dedicated registration website and electronic judging system were launched for the first time, enhancing the efficiency and organization of the competition in line with best practices.