Women Join Dubai Quran Award After 27 Years

In a historic and long-awaited decision, the Dubai International Holy Quran Award (DIHQA) has officially opened its doors to female participants for the first time in its 27-year history. This milestone move is being celebrated across the Muslim world as a significant step toward gender inclusivity in religious and cultural events.

• First time in 27 years that women can officially participate

• Competition previously restricted to male contestants only

• Open to female participants from all around the world

• Women’s edition to debut alongside the 28th edition in 2025

• Organizers pledge full support and equal facilities for female contestants

• Widely welcomed by scholars, Quran teachers, and the global Muslim community

The Dubai International Holy Quran Award (DIHQA) is one of the most prestigious Quran recitation competitions in the Islamic world. Launched in 1997 under the patronage of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the award aims to honor those who excel in memorizing and reciting the Holy Quran.

• Attracted hundreds of male contestants from over 100 countries

• Offered substantial monetary prizes and honors

• Been broadcast globally, increasing Quranic awareness and appreciation

• Served as a platform for intercultural religious engagement

Now, after nearly three decades, the absence of female representation is finally being addressed.

The decision to allow women into the DIHQA came after years of requests from religious scholars, women’s rights advocates, Quranic institutions, and community leaders. According to organizers:

“It is time to open this blessed platform to our sisters, mothers, and daughters who have dedicated their lives to the Book of Allah.”

This development means:

• Women from all countries can apply, just like their male counterparts

• A separate panel of female judges will assess the participants

• The event will ensure cultural sensitivity and privacy

• Female winners will receive equal recognition and prizes

The announcement was met with joy and support across social media, Quran institutes, and Muslim communities worldwide.

• WomenInQuranAward is trending on platforms like Twitter and Instagram

• Islamic scholars applaud the decision as a “timely and fair move.”

• Quran teachers from countries like Egypt, Pakistan, and Indonesia are expressing excitement

• Girls and women across the globe are sharing personal stories of how this inspires them

“My students have dreamed of this for years. Now they can finally dream bigger — and believe it.”

This move is more than symbolic — it has real potential to uplift and empower women in the religious and educational spheres.

Here’s how this could impact Muslim women globally:

• Encourages greater Quranic memorization and scholarship among females

• Creates role models for future generations

• Sends a message of inclusion and equality in religious spaces

• Motivates religious institutions to create more female-friendly platforms

While many national Quran competitions already welcome women, international platforms have been slow to follow suit.

• Pakistan, Indonesia, and Iran hold national-level women’s Quran contests

• Saudi Arabia recently allowed women to participate in the King Salman Quranic Awards

• DIHQA’s move could lead to more international female Quran competitions

The 28th edition of the Dubai Quran Award in 2025 will include a separate category for women. Organizers have promised:

• Separate registration process for female contestants

• Publicity campaigns in mosques, schools, and Islamic centers to raise awareness

• A dedicated space for women’s participation and the audience

• Live coverage and streaming for global audiences

The inclusion of women in the Dubai International Holy Quran Award is a momentous and overdue achievement. It reflects a changing tide in how religious platforms can become more inclusive while remaining respectful of tradition.