Sheikh Mohammed names Sheikh Mahmoud Khalil Al Husary as International Quranic Personality

The Dubai International Holy Quran Award announced the opening of public voting for participants who qualified for the final stage of its 28th edition for the year (1447H – 2026) in search of the most beautiful Quran recitation for 2026.

Following two qualifying rounds, the judging panel has selected the top 3 male and top 3 female participants who now compete for the title.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai said: “As we welcome Ramadan, a month of blessings, grace and compassion, we renew our commitment to honouring the Holy Quran, spreading its messages of kindness and mercy, and inspiring the next generation to uphold its values.”

Sheikh Mohammed also named Sheikh Mahmoud Khalil Al Husary as International Quranic Personality for this year.

Sheikh Mohammed said "Sheikh Mahmoud Khalil Al Husary, is one of the prominent reciters of our modern time, and the first to record a complete recited Quran, and is the most widely known reciters in the East and West, May Allah have mercy on him and count this among his good deeds."

Sheikh Mohammed added: "The Dubai International Holy Quran Award... 28 years of serving the Holy Quran, honouring memorisers and reciters, and those who have served the Quran."

Sheikh Mohammed continued: "This year, within the Dubai International Holy Quran Award, we have also chosen six Quranic voices from among our elite reciters around the world to compete for the title of the most beautiful voice."

Sheikh Mohammed added: "We open the voting to the public to be a partner in choosing the most beautiful Quranic voice for the year 2026... to honor them on March 2nd in a ceremony where we celebrate the Quran and its people."

Organised under the patronage of Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid, the Dubai International Holy Quran Award has opened public voting to select the most beautiful Quran recitation for 2026 from 6 finalists who have advanced to the final stage, which will take place during Ramadan. Public voting is available via quran.gov.ae

Finalists

Finalists of the Dubai International Holy Quran Award are:

Male participants: Omar Aly Awad (Egypt), Abdulla AlButi (Kuwait), Karrar Layth Saad (Iraq).

Female participants: Aisyah AR Rumy (Indonesia), Sarah Alhalak (Syria), Jana Ehab Ramadan (Egypt).

Winners of the award and the most beautiful Quran recitation for 2026 title will be announced during the closing ceremony on March 2, 2026, held in the presence of Sheikh Mohammed.

The Award features a prize of $1 million for the top male participant, $1 million for the top female participant and $1 for the Global Quranic Personality.

Global leadership

Ahmed Darwish Al Muhairi, Director General of the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department in Dubai (IACAD) and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Dubai International Holy Quran Award, stated: “Guided by the vision and directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Dubai International Holy Quran Award’s 28th edition marks a new comprehensive vision that reflects Dubai’s commitment to remaining a global beacon, upholding the values of the Holy Quran and spreading its noble message to the world. Moving beyond conventional competition, the latest updates drive the Award’s global leadership by increasing the prize values to become the largest of their kind globally, introducing a dedicated category for female participants, and opening the door for direct personal nominations. Additionally, the final round will now feature a public vote to select the most beautiful Quran recitation for 2026.”

Al Muhairi added that public voting for the finalists aims to spark a transcontinental spiritual movement during Ramadan, connecting Muslims worldwide through the Quran’s most beautiful recitations.

He noted that the six finalists send an inspiring message and bright examples proving that the Quran is a call of life, progress, and lasting peace for all humanity.

A new vision

For its 28th edition (1447 H – 2026 AD), the Dubai International Holy Quran Award has unveiled a new vision that underscores its prestigious status and global impact, further highlighting Dubai’s leading role in celebrating Quran reciters. 

With a total prize value of over Dhs 12 million, the Dubai International Holy Quran Award builds on its 28-year long legacy and has introduced in this year’s edition a dedicated category for females. 

This year's competition saw 5,618 applications from Quran reciters in 105 countries worldwide, with 30% of those applications coming from female participants.

Evaluations

The preliminary evaluation of all applications and recorded recitations applied rigorous and fair criteria, based on Tajweed rules and overall performance quality.

525 reciters in total, 373 male and 152 female, moved to the second stage of the award, which consisted of live video evaluations by the judging panel to select the top 6 participants.