The Sheikha Hind bint Maktoum Holy Quran Competition has concluded its 27th edition in Dubai with 2,750 male and female participants, a rise of 58% over the previous edition. The Dubai Media Office announced the figures on November 1, 2026, and said the male and female winners will be honoured during the coming holy month of Ramzan.
The competition is organised by the Dubai International Holy Quran Award, which works under the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department (IACAD) in Dubai, and is held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikha Hind bint Maktoum bin Juma Al Maktoum. It is open to Emiratis and residents of all nationalities living across the UAE.
Women and Emiratis lead the numbers
According to the breakdown published by the organisers, which covers 2,630 registrants at the qualifying stage, women made up a slight majority with 1,357 participants (51.6%), against 1,273 men (48.4%). Emirati citizens accounted for 1,944 registrants, about 74% of the total, while the rest were residents of many different nationalities.
The steady growth shows how strongly families in the UAE are connected to Hifz and Tajweed. H.E. Ahmed Darwish Al Muhairi, Director General of IACAD and Chairman of the award’s Board of Trustees, said the competition has become an event eagerly awaited by Emirati and non-Emirati families alike.
Juz Amma is the most popular category
The competition offers several tracks for different ages and levels, from short memorisation to the full Quran, along with a Best Voice category for recitation. Dedicated tracks were also offered for senior Emirati citizens and for new Muslims. Registrations by category were:
- Juz Amma memorisation: 947 (about 36%)
- Three Juz memorisation: 367
- Best Voice: 357
- 20 Juz memorisation: 289
- Full Quran memorisation: 234
- Five Juz: 216
- Ten Juz: 88
The large number of entries in Juz Amma, the 30th part of the Quran that most Muslim children learn first, shows how many families are bringing young children into the competition. At the same time, 234 people competed in the full Hifz category, which requires memorising the entire Quran.
Winners to be honoured in Ramzan
Dr. Ali Hassan Al Marzouqi, Director of the Dubai International Holy Quran Award, said the male and female winners will be honoured during the upcoming month of Ramzan. Prizes recognise excellence in recitation, Hifz and Tajweed. The organisers have not yet announced the number of winners or the prize amounts.
Competitions like this carry on a tradition Muslims hold dear. Allah says in the Quran: “And We have certainly made the Quran easy for remembrance” (Surah Al-Qamar, 54:17). Rasool Allah ﷺ also said, “The best of you are those who learn the Quran and teach it” (Sahih al-Bukhari, 5027).
Key details
- Edition: 27th Sheikha Hind bint Maktoum Holy Quran Competition
- Participants: 2,750 (up 58%)
- Organiser: Dubai International Holy Quran Award, IACAD Dubai
- Most popular category: Juz Amma (947 registrants)
- Prize ceremony: during Ramzan
Sources: Dubai Media Office, IACAD Dubai, WAM. Also read: Teacher of Masjid al-Haram Sheikh Abdullah bin Suleiman Al-Amr dies after 50 years of service.
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