Winners Announced at Mecca’s 45th International Quran Competition

IQNA –  Saudi Arabia announced the winners across five categories at the 45th King Abdulaziz International Quran Competition in Mecca.

The ceremony, officiated at the Grand Mosque on Wednesday, capped six days of final-round recitations, memorization and interpretation.

This year’s edition featured 179 contestants from 128 countries competing in five branches for a total prize pool of SAR 4 million. An international judging panel evaluated performances, supported by an upgraded electronic scoring system to bolster fairness and accuracy.

Winners of the competition are as follows, according to Saudi news agencies.

Category I (full memorization with recitation):

1. Mohammad Adam Mohammad (Chad); 2) Anas bin Majid Al-Hazmi (Saudi Arabia); 3) Sanusi Bukhari Idris (Nigeria).

Category II (memorization with interpretation):

1. Mansour bin Muteb Al-Harbi (Saudi Arabia); 2) Abdulwadud bin Sudayrah (Algeria); 3) Ibrahim Khairuddin Mohammad (Ethiopia).

Category III (15 juz):

1. Mohammad Damaj Al-Shuwaigh (Yemen); 2) Mohammad Mohammad Kussi (Chad); 3) Badr Jang (Senegal); 4) Mohammad Amin Hassan (United States); 5) Mohammad Kamal Mansi (Palestine).

Category IV (5 juz):

1. Nasr Abdul-Majeed Amer (Egypt); 2) Bayu Wibisono (Indonesia); 3) Tahir Batil (Réunion Island); 4) Yusuf Hassan Othman (Somalia); 5) Boubacar Diko (Mali).

Category V (shorter segments):

1. Anu Intarat (Thailand); 2) Salahuddin Hussam Zani (Portugal); 3) Chang Wana Su (Myanmar); 4) Abdulrahman Abdulmunim (Bosnia and Herzegovina); 5) Anis Shala (Kosovo).

Officials also recognized the judging committee and distinguished guests.

Throughout the event, finalists performed in solemn sessions held during both mourning and afternoon gatherings inside the sacred precincts of the Grand Mosque.

The Saudi Press Agency reported that the event’s prizes totaled SAR 4 million, with additional stipends for all participants.

The competition is as among the most prestigious global Quranic events, and according to organizers, aims to strengthen connection to the Holy Quran while promoting values of moderation and tolerance.

This year’s program also included cultural visits in Medina for contestants, complementing the religious component with historical context.

Source: Agencies