For more than four decades, Saudi Arabia has used the King Abdulaziz International Qur’an Competition as a major platform for promoting the memorisation, recitation and understanding of the Holy Qur’an, bringing together contestants from across the world. The 46th edition has taken that commitment to another level, with the competition recording its highest prize money in history since its inception in 1979, as Saudi Arabia awarded about 10.26 million Saudi Riyals (more than ₦4.1 billion) to winners across the categories. How did two Nigerians emerge among the 50 winners from 334 contestants representing 133 countries? Muslim News Nigeria writes>>
Two young Nigerians, a lady and a man, have made the country and the Muslim community proud by emerging among the winners of the prestigious 46th King Abdulaziz International Competition for Memorisation, Recitation and Interpretation of the Holy Qur’an held in Makkah, Saudi Arabia.
Maryam Dan’azumi Ibrahim won the first prize in the women’s second category, while Muhammad Marafa Abdullah secured fifth position in the men’s second category, giving Nigeria two winners at the internationally acclaimed Qur’anic competition.
#Video | His Excellency the Minister of Islamic Affairs, Sheikh Dr. Abdullatif Al Alsheikh: The 46th King Abdulaziz International Competition for Memorizing the Holy Quran was distinguished by its wide participation, with 334 male and female contestants from 133 countries around…
— Ministry of Islamic Affairs 🇸🇦 (@Saudi_MoiaEN) August 20, 2026
Maryam’s victory earned her a prize of 300,000 Saudi Riyals, equivalent to ₦120 million in Nigerian currency, while Abdullah received 220,000 Saudi Riyals, equivalent to ₦88 million.
This year’s edition marked the first time female contestants were officially included in the history of the King Abdulaziz International Qur’an Competition, which dates back to 1979.
Muslim News gathered that the two Nigerians were among 50 contestants who emerged winners across the five categories of the competition, which attracted 334 contestants from 133 countries.
The competition was held at the Grand Mosque in Makkah from August 6 to August 19, 2026, corresponding to 23 Safar to 6 Rabi’ al Awwal 1448 AH.
Maryam takes first place, Abdullah finishes fifth
Maryam emerged victorious in the women’s second category, which focuses on memorisation of the entire Qur’an alongside interpretation of Qur’anic vocabulary. She received the top prize of 300,000 Saudi Riyals (equivalent to ₦120 million).
A Proud Moment for Our Daughter Maryam from Gombe State!
We are pleased to congratulate our daughter, Malama Maryam Ibrahim Dan’azumi of Gombe State, her teachers, her parents, and her colleagues on her success at the 46th International Qur’an Competition in Makkah, Kingdom of… pic.twitter.com/Wmmxr9O0D2
— Prof. Isa Ali Ibrahim, CON (@ProfIsaPantami) August 20, 2026
She was followed by Ummah Al Rahman Badih Mathar Kaleeb of Bahrain, who received 275,000 Saudi Riyals, while Amani bint Shayi bin Awadh Al Husaiki Al Harithi of Saudi Arabia placed third with 250,000 Saudi Riyals.
Zainab bint Ibrahim bin Abdul Salam Idris of Saudi Arabia came fourth with 235,000 Saudi Riyals, while Shamoukh bint Fayez bin Hamdan Al Zunaiqi, also of Saudi Arabia, finished fifth with 220,000 Saudi Riyals.
In the corresponding men’s second category, Saudi Arabia’s Omar bin Abdullah bin Hamad Al Suwaih emerged first with 300,000 Saudi Riyals, equivalent to ₦120 million.
Algeria’s Fattal Zakria placed second with 275,000 Saudi Riyals, while Badr Saed Hamid Yousef Mishal of Bahrain finished third with 250,000 Saudi Riyals.
Ahmed bin Hamid bin Rashid Al Suhaili of Saudi Arabia came fourth with 235,000 Saudi Riyals, while Nigeria’s Muhammad Marafa Abdullah completed the top five with 220,000 Saudi Riyals (equivalent to ₦88 million).
كرّمت حرم خادم الحرمين الشريفين صاحبة السمو الأميرة فهدة بنت فلاح آل حثلين -حفظها الله- الفائزات في #مسابقة_الملك_عبدالعزيز_الدولية لحفظ القرآن الكريم وتلاوته وتفسيره، في دورتها السادسة والأربعين، وذلك لأول مرة في تاريخ المسابقة، خلال الحفل الختامي لقسم الإناث الذي نظمته وزارة… pic.twitter.com/hy9LJ0JZpM
— الإعلامية / نهله حامد الجمّال (@nahlah_aljamal) August 20, 2026
Nigeria records two winners
Nigeria therefore recorded two winners at the 46th edition, one female and one male. Their performances placed Nigeria among the countries whose contestants secured positions among the top five in the international competition, which brought together Qur’an memorizers from Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East and the Americas.
The achievement also gave Nigeria representation in both the male and female sections of the second category.
The 46th edition was particularly significant for female participation, as it marked the first time women participated internationally in the competition, with a dedicated closing ceremony for female contestants.
Saudi Arabia increases prizes to over ₦4.1bn
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia substantially increased the financial rewards for the competition this year, with total prize money reaching 10.26 million Saudi Riyals, equivalent to ₦4.104 billion, the highest in the history of the event.
The Saudi Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance, Sheikh Dr Abdullatif Al Alsheikh, said the increase reflected the Kingdom’s commitment to serving the Holy Qur’an and honouring its memorizers.
According to him, the number of winners had increased from 12 in previous editions to 50, while the total prize money had risen from 1.1 million Saudi Riyals to more than 10 million Saudi Riyals.
The development, he said, demonstrated Saudi Arabia’s continued support for major international Qur’anic events and its efforts to encourage people around the world to memorise and understand the Qur’an.
Saudi leaders honour winners in Makkah
The winners were honoured in ceremonies held at the Grand Mosque in Makkah under the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.
Deputy Governor of the Makkah Region, Prince Saud bin Mishaal bin Abdulaziz, represented the King at the main closing ceremony, where he honoured the winners and members of the judging panel.
The ceremony was held on Wednesday, August 19, evening at the Grand Mosque.
The Minister of Islamic Affairs said the competition represents the Kingdom’s dedication to serving the Holy Qur’an, supporting its memorizers and bringing people together through guidance and righteousness.
First dedicated ceremony for female contestants
A separate closing ceremony was also held for the female contestants, marking a new chapter in the history of the competition.
Princess Fahda bint Falah Al Hathleen, wife of King Salman, honoured the female winners during the ceremony organised by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance in Makkah.
The ceremony opened with Qur’anic recitation, followed by a recorded address from Sheikh Dr Abdullatif Al Alsheikh.
The minister congratulated the female contestants and stressed that the true honour of those who memorise the Qur’an goes beyond winning competitions.
He said Qur’an memorizers should demonstrate the teachings of the scripture through their knowledge, conduct, morals and behaviour and serve as ambassadors of goodness for their respective countries.
Five categories, 50 winners
The competition featured five categories for both male and female contestants.
The first category was for complete memorisation of the Qur’an with mastery of the seven Qira’at, or canonical readings.
The second category covered complete memorisation with interpretation of Qur’anic vocabulary. The third category focused on complete memorisation with Tajweed.
The fourth category was for memorisation of 15 consecutive parts of the Qur’an, while the fifth was for memorisation of five consecutive parts.
The top prize in the first category for both men and women was 500,000 Saudi Riyals, equivalent to ₦200 million.
Saudi Arabia’s Abdulrahman bin Mukhtar bin Ahmed Muhammad won the men’s first category, while Algeria’s Jumana Shraitiyah won the women’s first category, with each receiving 500,000 Saudi Riyals.
The competition produced winners from countries including Saudi Arabia, Algeria, Nigeria, Syria, Kyrgyzstan, Cameroon, Bahrain, Libya, Tunisia, Bangladesh, the United Kingdom, Indonesia, Myanmar, Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Palestine, Oman, Madagascar, Brazil, Barbados, Mauritius and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
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