In a special event, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President of the UAE, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, honored the winners of the Most Beautiful Quranic Voices for 2026 as part of the Dubai International Quran Award. This recognition is part of the 28th edition of the award, which aims to promote the culture of the Holy Quran and its impact on society. Through this event, Quranic talents, who are symbols of peace and love, are celebrated.
Honor in a Quranic Evening
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, accompanied by several prominent figures, including His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum and His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, welcomed a group of finalists for the Dubai International Quran Award at the Umm Suqeim Majlis in Dubai. His Highness praised the high level demonstrated by the competitors in this edition, stating: “Today we honor a select group of the people of the Holy Quran. The blessings of this holy month are completed by honoring the Book of God.”
Winners and Prize Details
The fierce competition continued in this event, where this year’s qualifiers showcased outstanding voices from various countries. In the male category, Karrar Laith Saad from Iraq won the award for Best Quranic Voice for 2026, while Janna Ihab Mohamed Ramadan from Egypt won in the female category. Each winner received a prize of one million dollars. Other finalists were also honored, with Omar Ali Awad from Egypt taking second place and Abdullah Faisal Al-Batti from Kuwait in third place, while Aisha Al-Rumai from Indonesia secured second place and Sara Abdul Karim Al-Hallaq from Syria came in third.
Vision for the Award’s Development
Ahmed Darwish Al-Muhairi, Director General of the Department of Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities in Dubai, explained that the award reflects Dubai’s commitment to enhancing its position as a global center for serving the Quran and its sciences. This vision aims to attract new generations to learn the Quran proficiently, promoting values of peace and tolerance. Al-Muhairi added that the record number of participants, with the award receiving 5,618 applications from 105 countries, reflects the success of efforts to expand the competition and open the door to more talents.
Judging Phase and Evaluation Criteria
All recorded sessions from the contestants underwent a meticulous evaluation process, during which 525 participants were selected to advance to the second judging phase, where their skills were assessed via direct visual communication. The committee consists of a select group of scholars proficient in Quranic sciences. This phase was designed to ensure fairness and accurate evaluation of the competing talents.
The Dubai International Quran Award aims to be a global platform for Quranic talents, and the 28th edition features qualitative developments that enhance the value of the awards and open new horizons for participants from around the world. With its deep appreciation for the Holy Quran, the award contributes to enhancing its international standing.