Under the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the 45th edition of the King Abdulaziz International Competition for Quran Memorization, Recitation, and Interpretation will commence this coming Saturday. The competition is organized and supervised by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah, and Guidance.

The event will take place in the vicinity of the Grand Mosque in Makkah, with participants from 128 countries—the highest number since the competition’s inception in 1399 AH. This underscores its international prestige and global leadership in Quranic competitions.

The Kingdom’s Commitment to the Holy Quran

The Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dawah, and Guidance expressed profound gratitude to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and his loyal Crown Prince for their unwavering support of the Quran and its followers. He emphasized that this blessed patronage reflects the Kingdom’s longstanding dedication to serving the Quran on a global scale.

He stated, “The Ministry takes pride in organizing this prestigious competition, which stands as one of the most prominent international Quranic events. It highlights the Kingdom’s leadership in promoting the Quran, gathering elite memorizers from around the world in the holiest of places—a testament to the Kingdom’s mission of serving Islam and spreading moderation.”

He added, “The King Abdulaziz International Competition has become a global beacon and a distinguished platform honoring the people of the Quran. It reflects the Kingdom’s pioneering role in unifying efforts to serve the Book of Allah, promoting moderation, and countering ideological deviations.”

One of the Most Prestigious International Quranic Competitions

The competition is among the oldest and most prestigious international Quranic events, representing the Kingdom’s ongoing efforts to support Quranic programs and strengthen its global presence in serving the Quran. It reinforces the Kingdom’s civilizational mission of spreading goodness and moderation.

Two Holy Mosques

The **Two Holy Mosques** (Al-Masjid al-Haram in Mecca and Al-Masjid an-Nabawi in Medina) are the most sacred sites in Islam. **Al-Masjid al-Haram**, surrounding the Kaaba, is the holiest mosque and the destination of the Hajj pilgrimage, with origins dating back to the time of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham). **Al-Masjid an-Nabawi**, built by the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in Medina, houses his tomb and has been expanded over centuries to accommodate millions of worshippers. Both mosques hold immense religious and historical significance for Muslims worldwide.

King Abdulaziz International Competition for Quran Memorization

The **King Abdulaziz International Competition for Quran Memorization** is a prestigious annual event held in Saudi Arabia, established in 1979 to promote the memorization and recitation of the Quran. Named after the founder of modern Saudi Arabia, King Abdulaziz Al Saud, the competition attracts participants from around the world, fostering Islamic scholarship and preserving Quranic traditions. It reflects Saudi Arabia’s commitment to Islamic education and cultural heritage.

Grand Mosque

The **Grand Mosque** (often referring to the **Masjid al-Haram** in Mecca, Saudi Arabia) is the largest mosque in the world and Islam’s holiest site. It surrounds the **Kaaba**, the sacred structure believed to have been built by Prophet Abraham and his son Ishmael, and is a focal point for Muslim pilgrimage (Hajj and Umrah). The mosque has undergone numerous expansions throughout history, with modern developments accommodating millions of worshippers.

Makkah

Mecca (Makkah) is the holiest city in Islam, located in Saudi Arabia. It is the birthplace of the Prophet Muhammad and the site of the Kaaba, the sacred cube-shaped structure at the center of the Masjid al-Haram, toward which Muslims worldwide pray. Every year, millions of pilgrims visit Mecca to perform Hajj, one of the Five Pillars of Islam, a tradition dating back to the 7th century.