Makkah, August 30, 2023, In the 43rd King Abdulaziz International Competition for the Memorization, Recitation, and Interpretation of the Holy Quran, several competitors have emphasized the importance of using e-judging with the highest standards and selecting international judges from all over the world to ensure fairness and objectivity when calculating scores and rating competitors. They praised the Kingdom's efforts to serve the Holy Quran through the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah, and Guidance and noted that participation in this international competition is an accomplishment for everyone and there is no loser. Ahmad Abdelkader, a contestant from Mauritania, claimed that making it to the competition's finals is already a success regardless of the outcome. He also stated that witnessing the Grand Holy Mosque is every Muslim's goal and that this competition offered an opportunity to fulfill many Muslims' wishes. Using the best criteria for e-judging and choosing worldwide judges from various nations, he continued, achieves justice and impartiality in determining scores and judging competitors in this competition. Contestant Duran Beik of the Kyrgyz Republic praised the speed with which the electronic monitor in the participants' platform, through which the recitations are heard, was used for this international competition's e-judging, saying: "I live in an atmosphere of faith with my fellow contestants from all over the earth," and praising the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's efforts to serve Islam and Muslims. The presence of international judges in this competition stresses its universality by bringing together the elite readers of the Islamic nation," stated contestant Mohammed Masikeh of Lebanon. He also praised the ministry of Islamic affairs for their hospitality since he came to Makkah. Participants expressed their gratitude to King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, and His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, for organizing such worldwide competitions pertaining to the Holy Quran and demonstrating their interest in and adherence to the Holy Quran.
