The 20th edition of the Mohammed VI International Prize for Memorization, Recitation, and Interpretation of the Quran commenced on Monday at the Mohammed VI Institute for the Training of Imams in Rabat. This annual competition, established by royal decree in 2005, reflects King Mohammed VI’s commitment to the Quran and its scholars.
Running until August 12, this year’s event features participants from 53 countries across Arab, Islamic, African, Asian, European, and American regions, alongside Morocco as the host nation. The competition aims to elevate the service of the Quran and encourage a deeper understanding and appreciation of its teachings.
In his address, Noor al-Din Ma’na, Secretary General of the Ministry of Religious Affairs, emphasized the award’s prestigious standing in promoting the Quran and honoring its readers and scholars. He noted 83 readers are competing this year, including 41 in the full memorization category, and 42 in the tajweed category, which focuses on the recitation’s rules.
Ma’na highlighted that this competition serves as a model for emulating the Prophet Muhammad’s traditions in Quranic study, stating that the interpretation segment goes beyond mere vocabulary explanations to include syntax and rhetorical analysis, while the second segment celebrates recitation skill and clarity.
El-Yazid al-Radi, Secretary General of the Higher Council of Ulema, expressed Morocco’s longstanding dedication to the Quran and its memorizers, asserting that this commitment has deepened under King Mohammed VI’s reign. He celebrated the growing interest among Muslim youth in the Quran as a significant accomplishment.
Tawfiq al-Abkari, the head of the judging panel and a professor at the Mohammed VI Institute of Quranic Studies, remarked on the competition’s integration with the Islamic calendar and its alignment with the spirit of honoring those who engage with the Quran. He highlighted that the competition not only praises the Quran’s scholars but also embodies the prophetic approach to highlighting meaningful recitation and contemplation.
The competition consists of two main categories: the complete memorization of the Quran with recitation and the interpretation of the ninth and tenth sections, and the memorization of five consecutive sections with a focus on tajweed and performance quality. A panel of ten expert judges, six from Morocco and four from countries including Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Malaysia, and Tanzania, will evaluate the competitors.
