In brief
The preliminary phase of the Prince Naif memorial competition, organized by the Ministry of Interior, opened its doors to civil servants and security staff in Medina on 6 November 2026. With a total prize pool of three million riyals and an electronic scoring system overseen by a scientific committee, the event seeks to encourage Quran memorization and mastery among participants. The competition follows the memory of Prince Naif bin Abdulaziz and is part of the ministry’s commitment to promoting religious and moral values.
In the historic city of Medina, the first stage of the Prince Naif Quran Memorization Competition rolled out for the region’s civil and security personnel on 6 November 2026, according to the Saudi Press Agency. The event, which targets employees of the Ministry of Interior, the civil services of the Medina region, and the security sector, began after the inauguration by the Crown Prince of Medina, Prince Salman bin Sultan, and was attended by Prince Saud bin Nahar, the deputy governor.
Competition Structure
The competition, organized by the Ministry of Interior for its inaugural edition across the Kingdom, aims to boost the memorization of the Holy Book among those tasked with public safety and administer. The Ministry’s announcement notes that the preliminary rounds will run across five branches within the region, each offering varied prizes that together total three million riyals.
Central to the contest’s fairness and accuracy is an electronic scoring platform. The Saudi Press Agency reports the platform is tightly supervised by a specialised scientific committee, ensuring that participants’ performances are evaluated objectively. Participants will record their recitations electronically, after which the system will apply a predefined scoring rubric before the committee reviews and finalises the results.
Participants in the preliminary phase include a mix of men and women from the civil ministries, local municipal staff, and armed forces units stationed in Medina. Officials say the competition invites all who possess the requisite religious zeal to showcase their memorization skills and recitation fluency.
According to the press release, the initiative follows in the footsteps of the late Prince Naif bin Abdulaziz, whose leadership of the Ministry of Interior spanned many decades. The program is portrayed as a tribute to his dedication to the Quran and its role as a moral foundation for society, a belief embraced by the Ministry’s leadership.
The Ministry of Interior stresses that the contest promotes a wider community ethos, encouraging participants to deepen their faith and strengthen their public service record. By integrating scripture memorization into the professional lives of civil servants, the Ministry hopes to reinforce personal integrity and communal resilience.
As the preliminary stages continue, officials anticipate a steady stream of applicants who will compete for the substantial prize money. The event is slated to continue until the third week of December, with final rounds scheduled for late December, after which winners will receive certificates, medals, and cash awards.
Observers note that this competition could impact the security sector by creating a more devout workforce, potentially translating into improved moral conduct and heightened community trust. The Ministry declares that this initiative serves not only as a spiritual endeavour but also as a pillar of national stability.
