Princess Fahda Al Hithlain honors the winners of the King Salman Quran Award

Under the generous patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud - may God protect him - his wife, Her Highness Princess Fahda bint Falah Al Hathleen, honored, on Thursday evening in Riyadh, the ceremony honoring the winners of the local competition for the King Salman bin Abdulaziz Award for Memorization, Recitation and Interpretation of the Holy Qur’an for Girls, in its twenty-seventh session, which was organized by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance.

A rich history and a journey full of achievements

The King Salman Award for Memorizing the Holy Quran, whose blessed journey began more than two decades ago, is a beacon of care for the Book of God and an encouragement for generations to embrace it through memorization, understanding, and contemplation. This competition was established as part of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's unwavering commitment to serving the Holy Quran and its people, and as an embodiment of the personal attention that the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince – may God protect them – give to the Book of God, believing it to be the constitution of the nation and the source of its strength and elevation. The award aims to instill a spirit of healthy competition among the sons and daughters of the nation and to prepare a Quranic generation that contributes to building its society and the advancement of its nation.

The importance of the event and its national impact

The impact of this competition extends beyond simply honoring female Quran memorizers; it serves as a fundamental pillar in promoting tolerant Islamic values ​​and national identity. The graduation of exemplary young women, whom God has blessed with the ability to memorize His Holy Book, embodies the profound mission the Kingdom undertakes in building individuals according to the guidance of the Holy Quran. Regionally and internationally, these competitions reflect the true image of the Kingdom as a nation founded on the Book of God and the Sunnah of His Prophet, and a leader in serving Islam and Muslims, thus strengthening its position and leadership in the Islamic world.

The ceremony began with a recitation of verses from the Holy Quran, followed by a video presentation showcasing the history of the award, the significant support it receives from the wise leadership, and the efforts of the Ministry of Islamic Affairs in organizing and overseeing it. His Excellency the Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance, and General Supervisor of the competition, Sheikh Dr. Abdul Latif bin Abdulaziz Al-Sheikh, delivered a speech via video link, emphasizing that this recognition is a continuation of the established approach upon which this blessed country was founded in serving the Holy Quran. He commended the contestants for their exemplary performance and beautiful recitation.

Wide participation and valuable prizes

His Excellency explained that the current session witnessed a wide turnout from various regions of the Kingdom, with more than 3,600 contestants participating in the preliminary rounds, of whom 129 qualified for the final stage, under a rigorous judging system supervised by specialized committees. He pointed out that the total prize money for the competition, in both the boys' and girls' categories, amounts to 7 million riyals, which reflects the extent of support and encouragement provided to those who memorize the Holy Quran. He further stated that the leadership's attention to the Holy Quran reflects the constants of this country and its approach based on moderation and balance.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, Her Royal Highness Princess Fahda bint Falah Al Hithlain honored the winners of the top prizes in the six categories of the competition. She also presented commemorative shields to the female members of the judging panel in recognition of their efforts. The ceremony was attended by a number of princesses and dignitaries, as well as women interested in Quranic studies and the mothers of the competition participants.