Interior Ministry launches first Prince Naif Quran memorization contest with SAR 3 million in prizes

Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Interior has announced the opening of nominations for the inaugural Prince Naif bin Abdulaziz Quran Memorization Competition, open to male and female ministry staff, regional governorate employees, and security sector personnel. Applications open tomorrow, Sunday, corresponding to 2 Rabi Al-Akhir 1448 AH, with total prizes amounting to SAR 3 million.

The competition features five categories for Quran memorization with recitation and proper pronunciation. The first category, for memorizing the entire Quran, offers prizes totaling SAR 1.2 million. The second category, for memorizing 15 sections, awards SAR 800,000 in prizes.

Winners in the third category, for memorizing 10 sections, will receive a total of SAR 500,000, while the fourth category, for memorizing 5 sections, offers SAR 300,000. The fifth category, for memorizing 2 sections, has total prizes of SAR 200,000.

Participants must be employees of the Ministry of Interior's security sectors—officers, personnel, civilian staff, or students—either currently working or studying. They must also pass the preliminary stage with a score of at least 85%.

Military participants are required to wear their official uniform during the competition and must compete in the category specified on their nomination card. Memorization must be consecutive; if not, the number of separate sections must not exceed three, and memorization must start at the beginning of a section and end at its conclusion.

Dr. Abdulsalam bin Abdullah Al-Sulaiman, general supervisor of the competition, member of the Council of Senior Scholars, and member of the Permanent Committee for Fatwa, said that caring for the Quran has been a longstanding tradition in the Kingdom since its founding by King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al Saud, continuing through the reign of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Al-Sulaiman expressed his gratitude to Minister of Interior Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz for his support and care for the Holy Quran and its followers. He explained that the competition is an extension of the minister's efforts to promote Quranic engagement and encourage staff in regional governorates and security sectors to memorize and master its recitation and teachings.

He noted that the competition was launched under the direction and supervision of the Minister of Interior and is a tribute to the efforts of Prince Naif bin Abdulaziz, who led the ministry for many years and was known for his dedication to the Quran and support for programs that promote its memorization and care for its followers.

He added that this initiative stems from Prince Naif's belief that the Quran is fundamental to building upright individuals and is a key pillar in strengthening intellectual security and moral conduct in society.