Makkah Al Mukaramah, August 06 (QNA) - Qatar, represented by the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs, is taking part in the 46th King Abdulaziz International Competition for the Memorization of the Holy Quran, Recitation and Interpretation for 1448 AH / 2026, which is being held at the Grand Mosque in Makkah from Aug. 6 to 19 with the participation of distinguished Quran memorizers from around the world.

The ministry's participation in the prestigious international Quran competition reflects its continued efforts to support the Holy Quran and its memorizers and to strengthen Qatar's presence at international Quranic events. It also underscores the importance accorded to the Holy Quran in Qatari society and helps reinforce Islamic values and authentic cultural identity among younger generations.

Head of the Islamic network department at the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs Omar Aqla Al Ruwaili chaired the Qatari delegation. The delegation included two contestants, accompanied by their instructors, who will compete in two categories of the competition.

The participation reflects the advances of Quranic education programs in Qatar and the ministry's educational efforts to prepare and qualify Quran memorizers to compete in the world's leading international Quran competitions.

Al Ruwaili said the ministry's participation in the long-standing international competition reflects the state's continued commitment to promoting the Holy Quran, supporting its memorizers, and encouraging younger generations to memorize, recite, contemplate, and live by its teachings and values.

He added that the ministry remains committed to supporting outstanding Quran memorizers and providing them with opportunities to participate in regional and international competitions, helping them refine their skills, gain valuable experience, and strengthen Qatar's presence at international Quranic events.

He said the contestants were selected following a sustained process of monitoring, training, and preparation, noting that the ministry was committed to representing Qatar with highly qualified Quran memorizers capable of competing honorably at the prestigious event and serving as worthy ambassadors for both the Holy Quran and the State of Qatar.

The participation forms part of the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs' broader efforts to promote the Holy Quran and expand the number of its memorizers through educational programs, local and international competitions, and specialized Quran centers, in line with the ministry's strategic objective of building a society that is firmly rooted in its Islamic values and proud of its religious and cultural identity. (QNA)