Kuwait has officially launched the 29th Kuwait Grand Competition for Memorization and Tajweed of the Holy Quran, organizers announced Tuesday. The event is held under the patronage of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and aims to promote the study and preservation of the Holy Quran across the country.

Speaking at a press conference, Acting Secretary-General of the General Secretariat of Awqaf Eng Nasser Al-Khader described the competition as a key part of the Secretariat’s broader mission. He emphasized that the contest reflects the alignment between the goals of Islamic endowments and societal needs, fostering opportunities for Kuwait’s youth to engage in Quranic learning and memorization. Al-Khader underscored the role of the Endowment Fund for the Holy Quran and its Sciences in supporting initiatives that serve the community, with the competition serving as a prominent example of endowments reinforcing the efforts of Quran memorizers.

Vice Chairman of the Competition’s Permanent Committee Abdulaziz Al-Enezi provided additional details about the event’s evolution. He noted that the competition has grown steadily since its inception, with participation now including 56 government and private institutions. For this year’s iteration, the organizers introduced several new categories and made structural adjustments to enhance the competition’s accessibility and relevance.

Among the updates, a 15-part memorization track has been added to the Al-Khair and Baraka competition, and the Correctional Institutions Competition category has expanded to encompass memorization of up to 30 parts of the Quran. Al-Enezi also highlighted changes to the Tajweed examination format, which will now evaluate participants based on their practical application of rules and recitation quality, while removing previous theoretical questions to simplify participation.

The Permanent Committee has further taken steps to widen inclusivity by introducing dedicated categories for senior citizens, kindergarten children, individuals with special needs, residents of social welfare homes, inmates of correctional facilities, and juveniles. Additionally, the competition includes an honor category recognizing “Quranic families” who have instilled the values and teachings of the Quran within their households.

The Kuwait Grand Quran Competition continues to serve as a platform that not only advances religious education but also fosters community engagement across diverse segments of Kuwaiti society.