His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has launched the 29th edition of the Dubai International Holy Quran Award (1448H – 2027). The launch follows the introduction of the Award's new developmental vision, "In Search of the Most Beautiful Quran Recitation in the World," unveiled during the previous edition. Through a series of groundbreaking enhancements, the vision has positioned the Award among the world's most distinguished Quran awards while further strengthening Dubai's leading role in serving the Holy Quran and honoring its memorizers from around the world.
Sheikh Mohammed said: "By the grace and blessings of Allah, today we launch the new edition of the Dubai International Holy Quran Award. We are searching for the world's most beautiful Quran recitations to honor their reciters, pray behind them, and recognize them next Ramadan."
"The words of Allah are light, guidance, and mercy. For 29 years, we have honored the memorizers of the Holy Quran and will continue this noble tradition and enduring journey. We pray that Allah accepts our good deeds and yours," Sheikh Mohammed added.
The 29th edition introduces a new set of qualitative enhancements designed to advance the Award's strategy of expanding international participation. This edition also introduces updates to the Award's categories and eligibility criteria, which now comprise the Male Category (Over 16 years old), the Male and Female Category (Under 16 years old), and the Global Quranic Personality category.
Building on the momentum of the previous edition, the current edition offers total prize money exceeding Dh12 million. The first-place winner in the Male Category (Over 16) will receive $1 million, while the first-place winner in the Male and Female Category (Under 16) will also receive $1 million. The Global Quranic Personality will likewise be honored during the closing ceremony with an award of $1 million.
Among the most inspiring additions introduced this year is a new initiative designed to enhance public engagement with the Award. A select group of outstanding contestants who qualify for the second stage will be invited to Dubai to lead Taraweeh prayers at major mosques across the emirate, after which the public will vote to select the most beautiful Quran recitation in the world from among these participants.
The Award also continues to expand participation opportunities for Quranic talents worldwide by allowing direct personal applications, alongside the traditional nomination process through a participant's home country or an accredited Islamic center, in accordance with the approved eligibility requirements. This further reinforces the Award's position as a leading global platform.
Since its inception in 1997, the Dubai International Holy Quran Award has firmly established itself as the world's most prestigious and highest-value Quran award. It has attracted thousands of participants from dozens of countries, discovered outstanding Quranic talents, promoted a culture of excellence in serving the Holy Quran, and achieved this through a comprehensive framework built on precise international judging standards and a strategic vision centered on excellence and innovation.
With the launch of its developmental vision in the previous edition and its continued expansion in the current edition, the Award has remained committed to enhancing its organizational and technical framework, refining judging standards, and broadening international participation to provide an exceptional competitive environment in which memorizers of the Holy Quran and distinguished reciters can showcase their abilities at the highest level. These efforts further reinforce Dubai's position as a global beacon for promoting Islamic values and serving the Holy Quran and its people.
The Dubai International Holy Quran Award aims to encourage male and female memorizers of the Holy Quran and distinguished Quran reciters to compete in preserving, mastering, and beautifully reciting the Holy Quran. It also seeks to inspire younger generations to embrace the Holy Quran, deepen their understanding of its sciences, and adhere to its teachings, while serving Quran through religious, cultural, and community initiatives that encourage Quran memorization among future generations. The Award also recognizes individuals and institutions that have made outstanding contributions to the Holy Quran and its sciences.
For participants in the Male Category (Over 16 years old), applicants must have memorized the Holy Quran, demonstrate mastery of Tajweed, beautiful vocal quality, and outstanding recitation performance, be born on or before 31 May 2010, and must not have previously reached the final stage or been honored in any previous edition of the Award.
For participants in the Male and Female Category (Under 16 years old), applicants must demonstrate mastery in reciting the Holy Quran, adhere to the rules of Tajweed, possess a beautiful voice and excellent recitation performance, be born on or after 1 June 2010, and must not have previously reached the final stage or been honored in any previous edition of the Award. Participants must also adhere to their assigned examination schedule, including the designated date and order of evaluation.
The Dubai International Holy Quran Award has announced the registration process for its new edition. Participants may apply by visiting the Award's website at www.quran.gov.ae, completing the electronic application form with the required information, uploading a copy of their passport and a personal photograph, and submitting a video recording of a Quran recitation from any passage of the Holy Quran. The video must be of suitable quality, with clear audio, and no longer than three minutes. Applications will be accepted from 7 July 2026 through 15 August 2026.
The evaluation process for the Male Category (Over 16 years old) will consist of two stages. The first stage involves selecting the most melodious voices based on a three-minute video recitation from any passage of the Holy Quran. Contestants will be evaluated according to vocal beauty, quality of performance, and adherence to the rules of Tajweed. This stage will run from July 7 through August 15, 2026.
The second stage will determine the winner of the most beautiful Quran recitation in the world. A select group of the most distinguished contestants will be invited to Dubai during the holy month of Ramadan to lead Taraweeh prayers at major mosques across the emirate, after which the public will vote to select the winner. This stage will take place from February 8 to 16, 2027.
The evaluation process for the Male and Female Category (Under 16 years old) will comprise three stages. The first stage, running from July 7 to August 15, 2026, will select the most melodious voices based on a three-minute video recitation from any passage of the Holy Quran, evaluated according to vocal beauty, quality of performance, and adherence to the rules of Tajweed.
The second stage will be held from September 1 to 14, 2026 and will consist of live virtual evaluations conducted through direct video calls. The third stage will feature public voting to select the most beautiful Quran recitation in the world, taking place from February 8 to 16, 2027.
