Makkah: Under the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and on his behalf, Makkah Region Deputy Governor Prince Saud bin Mishaal bin Abdulaziz attended yesterday the closing ceremony of the 45th King Abdulaziz International Competition for Memorizing, Reciting, and Interpreting the Holy Quran, organized by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance at the Grand Mosque in Makkah.

According to Saudi Press Agency, the ceremony honored winners of the competition's branches, with total prizes amounting to SAR 4 million, in addition to SAR 1 million awarded to all participants. The competition, which drew 179 contestants representing 128 countries, marked the largest international participation since its inception, reflecting the Kingdom's pioneering role in serving the Holy Quran and supporting its memorizers worldwide.

The event began with recitations by contestants, followed by a visual presentation reviewing the competition's objectives, its history since inception, and developmental stages over the years.

The deputy governor then inaugurated the 'Recited Mushaf of the 45th King Abdulaziz International Competition Contestants,' produced by the ministry in partnership with the Saudi Center for Quranic Recitations and Prophetic Hadith at the Saudi Broadcasting Authority, as a qualitative step highlighting, documenting, and widely disseminating the recitations of participants.

Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance Sheikh Dr. Abdullatif Al Alsheikh delivered a speech welcoming the audience, lauding the gracious patronage of the wise Saudi leadership. He stressed that the Holy Quran is light and guidance, its recitation an act of worship, and learning and teaching it among the greatest deeds.

The ceremony was attended by several ministers and dignitaries, ambassadors of Arab and Islamic countries, government officials, security leaders, scholars, preachers, and mosque imams.