The Dubai International Holy Quran Award received 20,500 applications from 135 countries for its 29th edition, the highest participation figure in the award’s history.
Registration has closed for the 1448H–2027 edition, held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
The figure marks a roughly 3.6-fold increase on the 28th edition, which drew 5,618 applications from 105 countries, according to the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department (IACAD).
What changed for the 29th edition
The increase follows structural changes introduced during the 28th edition under the award’s developmental vision, titled “In Search of the Most Beautiful Quran Recitation in the World”. The changes, reported by Gulf News, cover categories, eligibility requirements, evaluation procedures and participation mechanisms.
Among them: individuals can now apply directly, without going through their home country’s delegation or an accredited Islamic centre. The previous process required nomination through those channels.
A new prize fund exceeding Dh12 million is also in place, the largest the award has offered. First-place winners in each of the two main categories receive $1 million. Second place carries $100,000 and third place $50,000. The Global Quranic Personality award also carries a $1 million prize.
Ahmed Darwish Al Muhairi, Director General of IACAD and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Dubai International Holy Quran Award, said the record turnout reflected the impact of the award’s new approach and its growing international reach.
Dubai International Holy Quran Award applications by country and category
Egypt led all countries with 6,838 applications, followed by Indonesia with 1,923, Pakistan with 1,862 and Syria with 1,511.
By category, the male division for contestants aged over 16 received 14,040 applications. The combined male and female category for those under 16 attracted 6,495 applications, of which 2,394 were female participants.
Applicants are currently undergoing preliminary evaluation assessed on Tajweed, vocal quality, recitation and overall performance.
Timeline to the final
For contestants under 16, the second stage runs through live video judging from 1 to 14 September 2026. For the over-16 category, those who clear the first stage advance to public voting.
Both categories enter public voting from 8 to 16 February 2027. Selected finalists will be invited to Dubai during Ramadan to lead Taraweeh prayers at major mosques, with public voting then used to determine the “Most Beautiful Quran Recitation in the World”.
Since the award’s first edition, 7,826 contestants from 123 countries have taken part across 28 editions. Total prize money distributed stands at more than Dh67 million. The Global Quranic Personality Award has been conferred on 24 individuals and three institutions.
