Qatar Joins 32nd European International Holy Quran Competition in Croatia

Qatar is participating in the 32nd European International Competition for the Memorisation and Recitation of the Holy Quran, taking place in Zagreb, Croatia, from 24 to 26 September 2026. The participation is supported by the Sheikh Jassim bin Muhammad bin Thani Holy Quran Competition.

Qatar is represented by a delegation from the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs, headed by Dr Salman Khidr Salman Al Atwi. The delegation includes Ibrahim Mohammed Hashem Al Mashhadani, who is competing in the complete memorisation of the Holy Quran category, and his memorisation instructor and companion, Sadiq Allah Latif Allah.

Mohamed Ahmed Abdulrahim Al Harem is also part of the delegation and is serving as a member of the competition's international judging panel.

The participation reflects the ministry's commitment to supporting memorizers of the Holy Quran, developing their academic and practical abilities, and enabling Qatar's capabilities to excel at international Quranic events. It also provides opportunities to exchange expertise with leading memorizers and reciters from countries around the world.

Qatar's participation is aligned with the objectives of the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs' 2025-2030 strategy and Qatar National Vision 2030, particularly its human development pillar.

Through this approach, the ministry seeks to help prepare a generation that remains firmly connected to its identity and Islamic values and is capable of representing Qatar with distinction at regional and international religious and cultural events.

The 2026 delegation continues Qatar's involvement in Quranic competitions held in Croatia. In 2024, Qatar participated in the 30th edition of the European International Competition for the Memorisation and Recitation of the Holy Quran, organised by the Islamic Community in Croatia in cooperation with and under the sponsorship of the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs.

The 2024 competition was held at the Islamic Cultural Centre in Zagreb. Qatar entered contestants in the complete memorisation and half-Quran categories, with the participants nominated by the Quran and its Sciences Section at the ministry's Department of Da'wah and Religious Guidance.

In October 2024, the Sheikh Jassim bin Muhammad bin Thani Holy Quran Competition received a commemorative shield from the Croatia International Award for Serving the Holy Quran. The recognition highlighted the competition's international efforts and its support for Quranic competitions held outside Qatar.

This support contributes to the organisation and success of international Quranic competitions and encourages participants to engage with the Quranic text while developing their memorisation and recitation skills. It also seeks to strengthen cultural relations, promote closer ties between peoples and facilitate the exchange of religious and spiritual knowledge.

The ministry has also linked this international support to Qatar's commitment to spreading the values of tolerance and mercy embodied in the Holy Quran and to its social responsibility in supporting Quranic education around the world.

Qatar also participated in two competitions in Croatia in May 2025: the third edition of the European International Holy Quran Memorisation Competition for senior memorizers and the fourth edition of the Generation of the Quran competition. Both were organised by the Islamic Community in Croatia in cooperation with the Sheikh Jassim bin Muhammad bin Thani Holy Quran Competition.

The senior memorizers competition brought together participants from 20 countries: Croatia, Qatar, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Serbia, Algeria, Türkiye, Guinea, Sweden, Bangladesh, Lebanon, Tunisia, Finland, Pakistan, Germany, Belgium, Spain, Albania, the United Kingdom and Kosovo.

The ministry has described these international participations as part of a wider series of initiatives intended to strengthen the global standing and presence of the Holy Quran. These efforts include supporting international competitions, Quranic centres and educational curricula through a faith-based and humanitarian vision serving present and future generations.

Qatar's continued presence at international Quranic events also reflects the role of the Sheikh Jassim bin Muhammad bin Thani Holy Quran Competition as a platform for cooperation with Quranic competitions in different countries, fostering closer ties between peoples through shared engagement with the Holy Quran.

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