The preliminary qualifiers for the 34th Sultan Qaboos Holy Quran Competition commenced in Ibri, Al Dhahirah Governorate, as part of a nationwide event organized by the Sultan Qaboos Higher Centre for Culture and Science under the Diwan of the Royal Court. The competition is being held across 28 centers throughout Oman's various wilayats, including two newly added locations this year: the Al Jabal Al Akhdhar Centre and the Dima W’attayeen Centre.

Yousuf bin Mohammed al Balushi, Deputy Chairman of the Preliminary and Final Qualifiers Committees, reported that 141 male and female contestants took part at the Ibri center. This figure is part of a broader pool of 2,214 participants across the country, competing in seven distinct levels based on Quran memorization and age criteria.

The competition levels are organized according to the extent of memorization and the contestant’s year of birth. The first level requires memorizing the entire Quran, followed by subsequent tiers requiring the memorization of 24, 18, 12, six, four, and two consecutive parts of the Quran respectively. Age restrictions apply at various levels: for instance, the fourth level is open to those born in 2001 or later, while the seventh level is for those born in 2019 or later.

The competition aims to encourage young Omanis, both male and female, to engage with the Quran through memorization, proper recitation, and mastery of Tajweed—the set of rules governing pronunciation during recitation. Officials highlighted that beyond memorization, the competition fosters skillful and accurate reading aligned with traditional Islamic teachings and aims to prepare participants as proficient Quran readers.

This annual event reflects ongoing efforts by Omani authorities to promote Quranic education and preserve religious and cultural heritage among the youth population.