Quran contest now open for applications

dubai — The Dubai International Holy Quran Award (DIHQA) is now accepting applications for the 20th edition of the Sheikha Hind Bint Maktoum Holy Quran Competition. Deadline for registration in the nationwide Quran contest has been set for January 17, 2019, a top official said.

Ibrahim Mohamed Bu Melha, adviser to the Ruler of Dubai for Cultural and Humanitarian Affairs and chairman of the DIHQA organising committee, said the eight-branch annual competition is open to both Emiratis and UAE residents, based on the instruction of Sheikha Hind bint Maktoum Al Maktoum.

“The first branch is open to full Quran memorisers, while the second and third sections are specifically for 20- and 10part memorisers,” he said.

The fourth branch of the competition is for five-part Emirati memorisers, while the fifth is reserved for five-part expatriate memorisers below 10 years old, he added.

“The sixth branch is open to three-part Emirati memorisers below 10 years old; the seventh is specified for one-part new Muslim converts; and the eighth branch is for people of determination who are free to memorise any single part of the Quran.”

Bu Melha said male and female Emirati memorisers of any age can compete in any branch, except in the sixth one for kids. Residents, on the other hand, must not be older than 25 years old to become a participant. “They should also have a valid residence visa,” he said.

Quran teachers and those who had earlier taken part in any edition of the DIHQA or the Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak International Holy Quran Competition are not eligible for participation in this contest, he said.

“Those who earlier participated in a branch of the Sheikha Hind Bint Maktoum Holy Quran Competition cannot compete in the same section this year.”