In brief
Jazan Emirate is carrying out preliminary rounds of the first edition of the Prince Naif Qur’an memorization competition, inviting participants from the Interior Ministry, regional emirates, and security sectors. Candidates must reach over 85% to advance, with two qualifiers from each branch under a scientific panel and electronic judging system. The event offers three million riyals in prizes across five categories.
In the coastal city of Jazan, the Emirate is conducting preliminary rounds of the first edition of the Prince Naif Qur’an memorization competition, an event that began on 8 November 2026 at the Emirate’s headquarters. The competition invites male and female participants from the Interior Ministry, regional emirates, and security sectors to showcase their memorization of the Holy Qur’an.
The event is named in honor of the late Prince Naif bin Abdulaziz, an advocate for Qur’anic education, and is organized by the Interior Ministry under the patronage of King Abdulaziz bin Sultan bin Naif, the current Minister of Interior. The competition aims to promote reverence for the Qur’an and foster a strong sense of spiritual and civic responsibility among public servants.
Competition Structure
The preliminary rounds are designed to select participants who will move on to the final stages. Judges require a score of more than 85 percent in memorization and recitation for a candidate to qualify. Once qualified, two participants from each branch—Interior Ministry, regional emirates, and security forces—advance to the next round under the supervision of a specialized scientific panel.
The preliminaries begin on the 8th of November and continue through the following week, featuring multiple sessions per day. Each session tests memorization accuracy and skill in tajweed, the science of Qur’anic recitation.
The competition’s electronic judging system records recitations from microphones and applies digital scoring software, ensuring consistency and fairness alongside the expert committee’s oversight.
Judging and Prizes
All five categories of the competition—covering different portions of the Qur’an and varying styles of recitation—feature a total prize pool of three million riyals. The prize money is distributed across categories, encouraging healthy competition and honoring talent in Qur’anic scholarship.
To maintain high standards, the rules stipulate that only those achieving the required 85% threshold and demonstrating excellence in recitation may advance, promoting meritocracy across the board.
The Emirate’s decision to host the competition at its central office invites a crowd of scholars, administrators, and security officers, reflecting the inclusive nature of the program. The event is part of a broader cultural initiative replicated in other regions of the kingdom, each mirroring the same strict standards.
As the preliminary rounds continue, Jazan Emirate remains focused on generating a diverse pool of candidates who not only meet technical criteria but also uphold the cultural and ethical values associated with memorizing the Qur’an. By hosting the first edition of the competition, the Emirate hopes to inspire public servants nationwide to engage more deeply with the holy text and to enhance the spiritual fabric of the kingdom.
