By Sadiq Abdulfatah

The final rounds of the 46th King Abdulaziz International Competition for Memorizing, Reciting and Interpreting the Holy Qur’an have begun at the Grand Mosque in Makkah.

The competition was inaugurated on Tuesday by Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance, Sheikh Abdullatif Al Alsheikh, under the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.

This year’s edition has attracted 334 contestants from 133 countries, comprising 202 males and 132 females.

Speaking through a video conference, Al Alsheikh said the royal patronage of the competition demonstrates Saudi Arabia’s commitment to serving the Holy Qur’an.

He also highlighted the expansion of the competition over the past eight years, noting that the number of winners had increased from 12 to 50, while the total prize money had risen to SAR10.26 million.

Following the minister’s address, the judging committees began assessing contestants’ recitations across the competition’s five categories.

The event was attended by prominent scholars, imams and heads of participating delegations, with media organisations from around the world also covering the competition.

Source: RiyadhDaily