Doha:The 31st Founder Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammed bin Thani Holy Quran Competition commenced with its Quran Categories division, attracting 1,073 Qatari men and women contestants competing for top honors across five levels of Quran memorization. The competition is organized by the Ministry of Endowments (Awqaf) and Islamic Affairs.
According to Qatar News Agency, the four-day qualifying tests will continue through Tuesday, Nov. 3, with a schedule designed to distribute contestants across various testing sessions. Male contestants are scheduled to take their tests during evening sessions at the Imam Muhammad bin Abdul Wahhab Mosque, while female contestants will participate in their tests at the Department of Da'wah and Religious Guidance's Women's Activity Center in Al Waab during both morning and evening sessions.
Women make up 619 of the registered contestants, compared to 454 men. The competition encompasses five categories, requiring participants to memorize 5, 10, 15, 20, or 25 parts of the Holy Quran, allowing them to compete at a level that matches their memorization abilities and progress in future editions.
Deputy Chairman of the Sheikh Jassim Quran Competition Committee, Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Abdulaziz Al-Thani, stated that the division aims to prepare memorizers of the Noble Quran and nurture Qatari talent. He emphasized that the competition serves as an ongoing motivation for participants to enhance their memorization skills with the goal of memorizing the entire Noble Quran.
Sheikh Abdulrahman further noted that the competition's regulations provide opportunities for contestants to advance to higher categories. The event has produced many outstanding memorizers, some of whom have competed in the full Quran category and represented Qatar at international forums. Additionally, the competition has supplied mosques with national talent to serve as imams.
The competition features 16 judging panels, equally divided between male and female contestants, and staffed entirely by Qatari judges. This highlights the significant role of national Quranic talent and Qatar's cultivated expertise in this field.
The competition aligns with Awqaf's broader efforts to promote Quranic culture and nurture talent, consistent with its 2025-2030 strategic plan and Qatar National Vision 2030. These initiatives are crucial in strengthening national identity, reinforcing values, and leveraging human capital as a key driver of sustainable development.