Riyadh: The Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance has finalized preparations for the 45th King Abdulaziz International Competition for Memorizing, Reciting, and Interpreting the Holy Quran. The event, held under the patronage of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, will launch tomorrow at the Grand Mosque in Makkah.

According to Saudi Press Agency, a record 179 contestants from 128 countries are participating this year, the highest number since the competition began in 1399 AH, underscoring the event's global significance and the Kingdom's leading role in organizing international Quranic competitions.

The competition consists of five categories: memorization of the entire Quran, with proper recitation and intonation according to seven variable ways of recitation; memorization of the entire Quran with proper recitation and intonation and the interpretation of its vocabulary; memorization of the entire Quran with proper recitation and intonation; memorization of 15 parts of the Quran with proper recitation and intonation; and memorization of five parts with proper recitation and intonation.

The ministry places significant emphasis on this competition, dedicating all its resources in line with the directives of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and HRH Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister. The event is overseen by Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance Sheikh Abdullatif Al Alsheikh, highlighting the Kingdom's leading role in serving the Holy Quran and supporting its memorizers and reciters worldwide.

The competition's total prize money is over SAR4 million. The first-place winner in the first category will be awarded SAR500,000, with the remaining prizes distributed to winners in other categories based on strict judging criteria.

The competition aims to encourage Muslims to memorize, reflect on, and understand the Holy Quran, fostering a spirit of honorable competition among participants.