International Holy Quran Award has seen tremendous growth and has 13 sections from just two when it started. - Supplied photo
Dubai - "A large number of female Quran memorisers from across the Arab and Islamic countries and foreign communities all over the world are expected to participate in the award."
Published: Thu 17 Mar 2016, 11:00 PM
Updated: Tue 19 Apr 2016, 4:48 PM
The renowned Dubai International Holy Quran Award (Dihqa) is for the first time launching an all new award for female contestants only.
The promising Shaikha Fatima Bint Mubarak International Holy Quran Award, dedicated for girls only, is scheduled to begin in November this year, according to a top official.
Ibrahim Mohammed Bu Melha, Head of Dihqa Organising Committee, said the award has been named after Shaikh Fatima, the wife of the late Shaikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan in appreciation for her commitment to the service of the Holy Quran and its memorisers.
"A large number of female Quran memorisers from across the Arab and Islamic countries and foreign communities all over the world are expected to participate in the award."
Meanwhile, the organising committee is all set for the 20th edition of the 13-branch Dubai International Holy Quran Award which saw around 80 Quran memorisers worldwide.
Bu Melha, who is also an Adviser to the Ruler of Dubai for Cultural and Humanitarian Affairs, said they keep developing the award which has grown from only two sections to 13 now.
"Introducing Quran text in the software of the electronic arbitration system has helped the arbitrators easily observe and follow the contestants' performance without referring to the printed copy of the Quran."
Ahmed Al Zahid, head of Dihqa media unit, said the 20th edition of award will also see some 22 diverse lectures all over the holy month of Ramadan at 10:30pm every night after the Taraweeh Prayer.
"An elite group of prominent scholars from around the Islamic world are to deliver valuable lectures mostly on the benefits of fasting, scientific miracles in the holy Quran, and other contemporary issues."
More details will soon be available on Dihqa website (http://www.quran.gov.ae), by e-mail at (quran@eim.ae) on mob: (050-5963366) and phone: (04-2610666).
"The award activities can also be watched live on the award website or followed on twitter (@quran_award), Instagram (quran_award), Facebook (DIHQAuae), YouTube (dihqauae), Google+ (DIHQA), and Blackberry (73F31433)."
ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com