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New categories for this year's Quran Award

Dubai - "The 'Converts' branch has been dedicated for the new Muslims who have converted to Islam not more than five years ago.

New Muslims and special needs people may now take part in the Shaikha Hind bint Maktoum Holy Quran Award, in a bid to attract more Emiratis to the contest.
Ibrahim Bu Melha, head of the Dubai International Holy Quran Award (DIHQA) Organising Committee, who is also advisor to the Ruler of Dubai for Cultural and Humanitarian Affairs, said the seven-section popular competition has branched into nine categories.
The award, named after the wife of His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, is gaining popularity among Quran memorisers across the country.
"The Qiraat (Rewayas) or schools of recitation has also been amended and divided into two subcategories: the first for three Rewayas and the second for seven Rewayas."
Prof Dr Mohammed Abdulrahim Sultan-al-Ulama, head of the competitions unit DIHQA, said the initial tests of the 17th edition of the nine-category contest are to start on December 26.
"The 'Converts' branch has been dedicated for the new Muslims who have converted to Islam not more than five years ago, and those shall be tested in the Amma Juza - the last or 30th part of the holy Quran."
New Muslims from all nationalities with no age limit may take part in this new branch, he added.
"Mentally impaired memorisers will be able to compete in the other category," which is open for all nationalities with no age limit as well.
Application in all the nine categories shall be open till December 10 through any of the accredited entities.
These include the General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Endowments, Maktoum Centres for Memorising the Quran in Dubai, Quran and Sunnah Establishment in Sharjah, RAK Holy Quran Establishment, let alone the Quran study centres accredited by the department.
"Participants in the first category, be they Emiratis or residents, need to memorise the Holy Quran in full (30 parts) whereas applicants for the second and third branches have to learn by heart 20 and ten parts in turn," Bu Melha said.
Residents up to 10 years old may compete in 5-part category while Emiratis up to 10 year old may participate in the 3-part category, he explained.
"Full Quran memorisers, who should have participated in a previous edition of the same contest, may compete in the 7th category dedicated for Qiraat (Rewayas) or art of recitation - spanning the schools of Warsh, Qaloon, and Al Duri."
Bu Melha said that residents up to 21 years old, who memorise the Quran in full, may also participate in this category while female contestants have no age limit.
ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com