Islamic Affairs Minister Approves Female Winners in King Salman Quran Competition

Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance, Sheikh Dr. Abdullatif bin Abdulaziz Al Alsheikh, has formally approved the names and results of the female winners of the 26th local competition for the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Award for the Memorization, Recitation, and Interpretation of the Holy Quran. The announcement, carried by the Saudi Press Agency, followed final rounds held in Riyadh from February 24 to 28, which brought together 125 male and female participants competing across six categories for a prize pool exceeding SAR7 million. The minister’s endorsement of the female results marks another milestone in the Kingdom’s long-standing tradition of honoring Quranic scholarship and in its broader effort to empower women within a framework of faith, learning, and national pride.

For an international audience, the development offers a window into how Saudi Arabia balances deep religious heritage with a modernizing society. The competition is not merely a contest of memory; it is a national institution that reflects the Kingdom’s commitment to the Holy Quran, to rigorous education, and to the equal recognition of male and female achievement. Under the leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, and with the continued support of Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, such initiatives form part of a wider ecosystem of religious, educational, and social programs that advance the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030. The event also underscores the role of the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance in nurturing a generation grounded in Islamic values and prepared to contribute to national life.

Context and Background

How did a Quran memorization competition come to command national attention and a prize pool of more than SAR7 million? The answer lies in the central place of the Holy Quran in Saudi society and in the Kingdom’s determination to institutionalize excellence in its study. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Award for the Memorization, Recitation, and Interpretation of the Holy Quran is organized under the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance, which oversees mosques, religious guidance, and Quranic education across the country. Over its 26 editions, the competition has grown from a modest local event into a structured national program with multiple categories, rigorous judging, and significant financial rewards designed to encourage sustained commitment to the Quran.

The 26th local competition’s final rounds, held in Riyadh from February 24 to 28, exemplified this evolution. According to the Saudi Press Agency, 125 male and female participants qualified for the finals and competed across six categories, reflecting a broad spectrum of ages and levels of specialization. The categories typically cover complete memorization with recitation and interpretation, as well as partial memorization tracks, allowing participants to compete at the level that matches their training. The total prize pool exceeding SAR7 million signals the seriousness with which the state treats Quranic scholarship and the value it places on rewarding dedication. The event also serves as a gathering point for families, teachers, and religious scholars, reinforcing community bonds around a shared spiritual pursuit.

The competition’s structure ensures that excellence is recognized at every stage. Preliminary rounds are held in regions across the Kingdom, with successful candidates advancing to the national finals in Riyadh. This decentralized approach allows talented memorizers from remote areas to participate, promoting equal opportunity and national cohesion. For female participants, the competition provides a dedicated and respected platform to demonstrate their mastery of the Quran, an area of achievement that is deeply valued in Saudi culture. The minister’s approval of the female winners’ names and results is therefore both an administrative formality and a symbolic affirmation of their place in this national tradition.

Key Details

What exactly did the minister approve, and why does it matter? The approval covers the names and results of the female winners across the competition’s categories. In his remarks, Sheikh Dr. Abdullatif bin Abdulaziz Al Alsheikh highlighted the high caliber of the female participants, commending their dedication to memorizing the Quran and their excellence in recitation and understanding of its meanings. He extended his congratulations to the winners and their parents, encouraging them to continue their commitment to the Quran. This personal recognition from the minister elevates the winners’ achievement and signals that their efforts are valued at the highest levels of the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance.

The competition’s six categories are designed to test different dimensions of Quranic knowledge. Participants may be assessed on complete memorization of the Quran, precise recitation according to the rules of tajweed, and interpretation of the meanings of the verses. Judges evaluate accuracy, fluency, voice quality, and comprehension, applying strict criteria that have been refined over more than two decades. The 125 finalists who reached Riyadh had already proven themselves in earlier rounds, making the finals a showcase of the Kingdom’s most talented young memorizers. The prize pool exceeding SAR7 million is distributed among winners in various categories, providing financial support that can assist with education, training, and other needs.

The minister’s congratulations to the parents of the winners also reflects a cultural truth: in Saudi Arabia, Quran memorization is often a family endeavor. Parents invest years in supporting their children’s study, arranging tutoring, and creating an environment conducive to memorization. Recognizing the parents alongside the winners acknowledges this collective effort and encourages other families to prioritize Quranic education. The event thus strengthens the social fabric by celebrating a shared value and by reinforcing the role of the family as the first school of faith. For international observers, this emphasis on family and community provides insight into how Saudi society transmits religious knowledge across generations.

International and Regional Impact

Why should an international audience pay attention to a national Quran competition in Saudi Arabia? Because the Kingdom’s religious and educational initiatives often resonate far beyond its borders. Saudi Arabia is home to the Two Holy Mosques and serves as a reference point for Muslims worldwide. Its programs for Quran memorization, recitation, and interpretation are watched by religious institutions, scholars, and communities across the Islamic world. When the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance honors female winners with a prize pool of this magnitude, it sends a message about the importance of women’s religious education and about the Kingdom’s commitment to supporting scholarship at all levels. This can influence how other countries design their own Quranic education programs and how they view Saudi Arabia’s role in promoting moderate, knowledge-based Islam.

Regionally, the competition contributes to Saudi Arabia’s soft power and to its position as a leader in Islamic affairs. The Kingdom hosts international Quran competitions and supports Quranic institutions in many countries, and its domestic programs serve as models of organization and rigor. The 26th local competition, with its 125 finalists and SAR7 million prize pool, demonstrates the scale of investment that Saudi Arabia is willing to make in this field. For neighboring Gulf states and for Muslim-majority countries in Asia and Africa, the event is a reminder of the Kingdom’s enduring commitment to the Quran and to the education of future generations. It also aligns with Saudi efforts to promote tolerance, moderation, and coexistence, values that are central to its religious diplomacy.

Economic and Strategic Significance

What does a prize pool exceeding SAR7 million say about Saudi Arabia’s strategic priorities? It says that the Kingdom is willing to allocate substantial resources to religious education and to the development of human capital grounded in Islamic values. While the amount is modest compared to major infrastructure investments, its symbolic and practical impact is significant. The funds reward individual achievement, support families, and incentivize sustained study. They also stimulate a broader ecosystem of Quranic education, including teachers, judges, institutions, and publishers. In a society where religious knowledge carries profound respect, such investment yields returns in social cohesion, moral guidance, and national identity.

Strategically, the competition supports Saudi Vision 2030’s goal of a vibrant society with strong values and a diversified economy. By encouraging young people to excel in Quranic studies, the program helps cultivate discipline, focus, and a sense of purpose—qualities that are valuable in any field. Many past winners have gone on to become teachers, imams, and community leaders, contributing to the Kingdom’s development. The competition also complements other Vision 2030 initiatives in education, culture, and social welfare, creating a holistic approach to national progress. For international partners, this underscores that Saudi Arabia’s modernization is not a departure from its heritage but an extension of it, with faith and tradition serving as foundations for a dynamic future.

Vision 2030 Alignment

How does honoring female Quran memorizers connect to Saudi Vision 2030? One of the vision’s core themes is a vibrant society in which all citizens—men and women—can realize their potential. By celebrating female winners and providing them with substantial prizes, the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance reinforces the principle that women’s achievements in religious scholarship are essential to the nation’s spiritual and social fabric. This aligns with broader reforms that have expanded opportunities for women in education, the workforce, and public life, all while respecting the Kingdom’s values and traditions. The competition thus serves as a bridge between Saudi Arabia’s deep-rooted heritage and its forward-looking ambitions.

As the Kingdom continues its journey toward 2030, initiatives like the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Award will remain vital. They preserve the centrality of the Holy Quran in Saudi life, nurture the next generation of scholars and reciters, and project an image of a nation that honors its faith while embracing progress. The female winners approved by the minister are not only champions of memorization; they are ambassadors of a vision in which faith, knowledge, and empowerment go hand in hand. Their success, celebrated in Riyadh and beyond, is a testament to the enduring strength of Saudi Arabia’s religious and educational institutions and to the bright future they are helping to build.

20 Questions

Q1. Who approved the female winners of the 26th King Salman Quran Competition?

A1. The Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance, Sheikh Dr. Abdullatif bin Abdulaziz Al Alsheikh, approved the names and results of the female winners, as reported by the Saudi Press Agency.

Q2. When and where were the final rounds of the 26th local competition held?

A2. The final rounds took place in Riyadh from February 24 to 28, 2025, bringing together 125 male and female participants who had qualified from earlier stages across the Kingdom.

Q3. How many participants competed in the finals?

A3. A total of 125 male and female participants competed in the final rounds, demonstrating the widespread engagement with Quranic education across Saudi Arabia.

Q4. What is the total prize pool for the competition?

A4. The total prize pool exceeds SAR7 million, distributed among winners across six categories, reflecting the Kingdom’s commitment to rewarding Quranic excellence.

Q5. What are the six categories of the competition?

A5. The categories cover complete memorization of the Quran with recitation and interpretation, as well as partial memorization tracks, each with specific criteria for judging accuracy and understanding.

Q6. What did the minister say about the female participants?

A6. He highlighted their high caliber, commended their dedication to memorizing the Quran, and praised their excellence in recitation and understanding of its meanings, congratulating them and their parents.

Q7. Why is the minister’s approval significant?

A7. It formally recognizes the female winners’ achievements at the highest level of the ministry and affirms the important place of women in Saudi Arabia’s Quranic education tradition.

Q8. How does the competition support Saudi Vision 2030?

A8. It promotes a vibrant society with strong values, encourages educational excellence, and supports women’s empowerment within the framework of the Kingdom’s heritage, aligning with Vision 2030 goals.

Q9. What is the role of the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance?

A9. The ministry oversees mosques, religious guidance, and Quranic education, and organizes national competitions like this one to encourage the study and memorization of the Holy Quran.

Q10. How are winners selected in the competition?

A10. Winners are selected through rigorous judging that evaluates memorization, recitation according to tajweed rules, and interpretation of meanings, with strict criteria applied across multiple rounds.

Q11. What is the significance of the competition’s 26th edition?

A11. The 26th edition demonstrates the enduring success and growth of the competition, which has become a national institution over more than two decades, reflecting sustained investment in Quranic education.

Q12. How does the competition benefit families and communities?

A12. It encourages families to support their children’s Quranic studies, strengthens community bonds around shared spiritual values, and provides financial rewards that can assist with education and training.

Q13. What message does the competition send internationally?

A13. It showcases Saudi Arabia’s commitment to moderate, knowledge-based Islam, its support for women’s religious education, and its role as a global leader in Quranic scholarship and Islamic affairs.

Q14. Are there separate categories for male and female participants?

A14. The competition includes male and female participants competing across six categories, with dedicated recognition for female winners, ensuring equal opportunity and respect for their achievements.

Q15. How does the competition reflect Saudi Arabia’s cultural values?

A15. It reflects the central place of the Holy Quran in Saudi society, the importance of family in transmitting faith, and the Kingdom’s respect for scholarship and piety.

Q16. What happens to past winners of the competition?

A16. Many past winners have become teachers, imams, and community leaders, contributing to Saudi society and inspiring others to pursue Quranic studies and religious education.

Q17. How does the prize money support the winners?

A17. The prizes provide financial support that can help winners continue their education, access training, and meet personal needs, while also motivating others to strive for excellence.

Q18. What role do parents play in the winners’ success?

A18. Parents provide crucial support by creating a conducive environment for memorization, arranging tutoring, and encouraging their children’s dedication, which the minister acknowledged in his congratulations.

Q19. How does the competition align with Saudi Arabia’s religious diplomacy?

A19. It reinforces the Kingdom’s position as a reference point for Muslims worldwide, promoting moderate Islam and supporting Quranic education both domestically and internationally.

Q20. What can we expect for future editions of the competition?

A20. Future editions are likely to continue growing in scale and prestige, further advancing Saudi Arabia’s goals of nurturing Quranic scholarship and empowering women within its Vision 2030 framework.

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