King Abdulaziz Quran Competition kicks off in Mecca, Qatar joins

The 46th King Abdulaziz International Quran Competition began its preliminary rounds in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, running from 6 to 19 August 2026 (Hijri 1448). The event, organized by the Saudi Ministry of Islamic Affairs, features five competition branches covering full Quran memorization, recitation, and interpretation, with 334 contestants representing 133 countries and prize money exceeding 10 million riyals.

Qatar participated through its Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs, sending a delegation led by Omar Aqla al‑Ruwaili, head of the Islamic Network Department. The Qatari team includes competitors and accompanying mentors, reflecting the country's ongoing efforts to promote Quranic education and cultural presence on the international stage.