Contestants from 140 countries to take part in Holy Quran award

Dubai - The organising committee is keen to get confirmation from as many Arab, Islamic, Asian countries and foreign communities to chip in the Award slated to run from Ramadan 1-20.

The 20th edition of the Dubai International Holy Quran Award (Dihqa) is expected to see a record number of full Quran memorisers with 140 countries invited for participation this year.
The organising committee is keen to get confirmation from as many Arab, Islamic, Asian countries and foreign communities to chip in the Award slated to run from Ramadan 1-20.
Ibrahim Mohammed bu Melha, Head of Dihqa Organising Committee who is also an adviser to the Ruler of Dubai for Cultural and Humanitarian Affairs, said most of the countries and foreign communities invited run local contests to pick the best of the best memorisers for this award.
"This is basically due to the good reputation of the award which is annually organised under the auspicious sponsorship of His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai."
The award, the biggest in terms of prize money and number of participants worldwide, he added. "However, all contestants need to clear the initial qualifying tests to be eligible for participation in the finals."
Elaborating, Bu Melha said each contestant needs to learn the Quran by heart, and perfectly recite it to chip in the global award which is only open for male Quran memorisers. "Contestants should be 25 years old or younger, have full command of the rules of recitation, and should not have participated in any of the award's earlier editions."
The organising committee, meanwhile, secures entry visas, return air tickets and accommodation for all participants, he underlined. "Contestants below 14 years old contestants and those with impairments are allowed to have a single attendant, though."
Bu Melha said big prizes up to Dh950,000 await the top ten Quran memorisers: the first is awarded Dh250,000 while the second is given Dh200,000, and the third Dh150,000. Winners from the fourth to the tenth are gifted Dh65,000 to Dh5,000 less each.
ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com