Saudi Islamic Affairs Ministry launches second Quran and Sunnah competition in Nouakchott

The Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance, in cooperation with the Ministry of Islamic Affairs and Original Education of Mauritania, is organizing the second King Salman Competition for the Memorization of the Holy Quran and Sunnah for West African countries in Nouakchott, from 5 to 9 Jumada Al-Akhirah 1448 AH (corresponding to November 15 to 19, 2026).

The competition features 160 contestants representing 16 West African countries: Mauritania, Togo, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Côte d'Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea-Conakry, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Nigeria.

The event includes two main tracks. The first focuses on Quran memorization, with five categories such as memorizing the entire Quran with the seven canonical readings, proper recitation and intonation, and interpretation of the last ten parts, as well as other categories for memorizing selected portions with interpretation and recitation. The second track centers on memorizing the Sunnah, including parts of the books "Al-Lu'lu' wal-Marjan," selections from "Al-Muwatta," "Bulugh al-Maram," and "Umdat al-Ahkam," as well as memorizing 153 hadiths on essential knowledge, with requirements to identify the companions and memorize rare terms in specified categories.

Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance Abdullatif bin Abdulaziz Al-Sheikh stated that the competition reflects Saudi Arabia's ongoing support for initiatives that serve the Holy Quran and the Sunnah, their teaching and global dissemination, emphasizing that the Kingdom has made serving the Quran and Sunnah a core priority of its Islamic mission.

The competition aims to encourage Muslim youth to memorize, understand, and reflect on the Quran, foster a spirit of honorable competition among memorizers, connect younger generations with the Quran and Sunnah, highlight the Kingdom's care for them, preserve the seven canonical readings, and promote the Sunnah and the methodology of the righteous predecessors.