The preliminary rounds of the Ministry's Quran Competition in Mecca for the year 1447 AH have begun
commenced in Makkah the Ministry of Education's Quran Competition , hosted by the General Directorate of Education in the Makkah region. This auspicious start saw wide participation from 16 educational districts, represented by 120 male and female students from various grade levels. These events are held under the generous patronage of His Excellency the Minister of Education, amidst an atmosphere of faith and honorable competition that reflects the great importance of the Holy Quran in the hearts of young people. At the same time, they highlight the tireless efforts exerted by educational institutions in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to nurture Quran memorizers and encourage them to continue on this righteous path.
A rich history of caring for the Book of God in the Kingdom
Caring for, memorizing, and reciting the Holy Quran is one of the fundamental pillars upon which the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has been built since its founding. In this context, school Quranic competitions represent a natural extension of a long history of initiatives adopted by the state, represented by the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance. Over the decades, the wise leadership has been keen to organize major local and international competitions, such as the King Abdulaziz International Competition, to encourage young men and women to adhere to the Holy Quran. These educational competitions complement this unique tradition, focusing on the school environment to discover Quranic talents at an early age and to nurture a conscious generation that adopts the Holy Quran as a way of life, reflecting the Kingdom's unwavering commitment to serving Islam and Muslims.
The educational and societal impact of the Ministry's Quran competition activities
The impact of these competitions extends beyond mere competition, encompassing profound educational and societal dimensions. Locally, the Ministry's Quran Competition instills a love for the word of God in students, motivating them to master its recitation and contemplate its meanings, thus building a balanced personality that combines academic excellence with virtuous character. Regionally and internationally, the graduates of these competitions represent the Kingdom in global Quranic forums, where Saudi students consistently demonstrate their merit and excellence. Furthermore, promoting moderate Islamic values through understanding the Holy Quran contributes to safeguarding youth and enhancing their discipline and diligence, enabling them to become valuable members of their communities and ambassadors for their country in spreading the message of tolerance.
Achieving competitive fairness among participants
The events were attended by the Director General of Education in the Makkah Region, Mr. Abdullah bin Saad Al-Ghannam, who conducted an inspection tour to observe the judging process. During his tour, he expressed his deep gratitude and appreciation to the working teams, coordinators, and organizing committees, praising their significant efforts in organizing the competition and presenting it in a distinguished manner befitting the status and sanctity of Makkah. Mr. Al-Ghannam emphasized that this organized work reflects the spirit of integration and teamwork among the various working committees. He also commended the pivotal role of the judging committees and their meticulous scientific efforts in evaluating the participants according to the highest approved standards, which contributes to achieving competitive fairness and reaching outstanding, high-quality outcomes. He prayed to God Almighty for success and guidance for all.
Competition categories and final crowning stages
The competitions in this edition are divided into six main categories, designed to suit all age groups and students' memorization abilities. These categories include: memorizing the entire Holy Quran, memorizing 20 parts, 15 parts, 10 parts, and 5 parts, in addition to a category dedicated to memorizing Juz' Amma (the 30th part of the Quran). This structure is part of the programs implemented by the Ministry of Education to link the educational process with faith and moral development, in line with the goals of comprehensive development and human development as outlined in the Kingdom's Vision 2030. The competitions are scheduled to continue over the coming days, under meticulous organization and continuous monitoring by the supervisory committees. The events will conclude with a grand ceremony honoring the winners, recognizing their excellence and motivating them and their peers to continue their blessed journey in serving the Holy Quran.
