Competition guide · 01
Categories
& eligibility
Four divisions and twelve categories, with the portions, age limits and finalist numbers for 2027. Find what you can enter, then check who is eligible.
Divisions
4
Categories
12
Ages counted on
Dec 31, 2026
Registration
Feb 1–14
Islamic Studies until Mar 15
Find your category
What can I enter in 2027?
Ages are counted on December 31, 2026, so only the year of birth matters.
Memorization
- 1 Juz 8 & under
- 3 Juz 10 & under
- 5 Juz 12 & under
- 10 Juz 16 & under
- 15 Juz 20 & under
- 20 Juz 23 & under
- 30 Juz 25 & under
Ten Qirāʾāt
- 5 Juz 35 & under
- 15 Juz 35 & under
- 30 Juz 40 & under
Best Voice
- By nomination
Islamic Studies
- All subjects 18 & under
01Memorization
حفظ القرآن الكريم
Recite from memory in the riwāyah of Ḥafṣ ʿan ʿĀṣim. Each round has three questions, four in 30 Juz. Every category has separate male and female sections.
| Category | Portion | Age limit | Born in | Finalists |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Juz | Juzʾ ʿAmma (Juz 30) | 8 and under | 2018 or later | 15 male · 15 femaleFinalists per section reduced from 20 to 15. |
| 3 JuzNew | Juz 28 to 30 | 10 and under | 2016 or later | 10 male · 10 femaleNow part of the main competition instead of a Ramadan event. |
| 5 Juz | Juz 1 to 5, or Juz 26 to 30 | 12 and under | 2014 or later | 15 male · 15 femaleFinalists per section reduced from 20 to 15. |
| 10 Juz | Juz 1 to 10, or Juz 21 to 30 | 16 and under | 2010 or later | 20 male · 20 female |
| 15 Juz | Juz 1 to 15, or Juz 16 to 30 | 20 and under | 2006 or later | 20 male · 20 female |
| 20 Juz | Juz 1 to 20, or Juz 11 to 30 | 23 and under | 2003 or later | 20 male · 20 femaleChanges to this category will be announced at the 2027 Awards Ceremony. |
| 30 JuzOpen internationally | The entire Qur'an | 25 and under | 2001 or later | 30 male · 20 female, plus international qualifiers |
Riwāyah. Memorization is recited in the riwāyah of Ḥafṣ ʿan ʿĀṣim only. Multi-Juz portions must be consecutive, from the start or the end of the muṣḥaf.
Screening. Every memorization competitor completes the screening round, March 24 to 30. Who is exempt
New: 3 Juz. After its first year as a Ramadan event, 3 Juz is now part of the main competition, following the same rounds and dates as every other Memorization category.
20 Juz. Changes to this category will be announced at the Awards Ceremony on July 11, 2027, and will apply to future competitions.
02Ten Qirāʾāt
القراءات العشر
Recite in the ten canonical qirāʾāt and their twenty riwāyāt. Competitors go straight to the Final Round, with three questions, four in 30 Juz. Each category is one combined section.
| Category | Portion | Age limit | Born in | Finalists |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 Juz | Juz 1 to 5 | 35 and under | 1991 or later | Based on participation |
| 15 Juz | Juz 1 to 15 | 35 and under | 1991 or later | Based on participation |
| 30 Juz | The entire Qur'an | 40 and under | 1986 or later | Based on participation |
A Ten Qirāʾāt category runs with at least 5 registered competitors. If fewer register, it is cancelled and registrants are told directly.
03Best Voice
حسن الصوت
One category in 2027, entered by nomination. There is no separate registration: judges choose Best Voice nominees from the Memorization division.
- Nomination. During the Memorization rounds, judges recommend competitors whose recitation stands out for its voice and tajwīd. Nominees are contacted directly.
- Preliminary round. Nominees submit a new video recitation through the portal, and the judges choose the finalists from the videos.
- The Final. Finalists recite assigned āyāt from a muṣḥaf on stage during finals week, with a five-minute limit.
- Judging. 40% tajwīd and 60% voice. How Best Voice is judged
04Islamic Studies
العلوم الشرعية
For students 18 and under (born in 2008 or later). A virtual test, then an oral final for the top 20.
Registration until March 15
Islamic Studies opens with everyone else on February 1 and stays open a month longer.
Five subjects
ʿAqīdah, Fiqh, Sīrah, Ḥadīth and Tafsīr, from the official study book. Reading and writing in both Arabic and English are required.
Study materials
The study book (PDF)
Sample questions: to be updated soon
05Who can compete
Eligible residents
Legal residents of the United States, Canada or Mexico:
- Citizens
- Permanent residents
- Holders of a work permit or employment authorization
Not eligible
- Visitors and other temporary visa holders, including student visas
- Anyone without legal resident status
Status must be valid at registration and throughout the competition year. Competitors outside North America: see international entry.
- Age
- Ages are counted on December 31, 2026, so only the year of birth matters. Someone born in 2014 is 12 for the whole 2027 season.
- One per division
- You may enter one category in each division, for example Memorization 10 Juz together with Islamic Studies. Best Voice is by nomination only.
- Teacher approval
- Your Qur'an teacher confirms you are ready for the category you choose. Teachers should approve only well-prepared competitors.
- Past winners
- Anyone who placed in the top three of a category cannot enter the same or a lower category again. Other divisions stay open.
- Integrity
- Every registrant accepts the Competition Integrity Policy, which applies to all virtual rounds.
New in 2027
International entry in 30 Juz
Competitors living in Europe and South America can now enter the 30 Juz Memorization category. There is no separate international competition: you register, prepare and compete like everyone else.
Places per country
1 male · 1 female
- 01
Who can enter
Competitors who live in a country in Europe or South America and meet the 30 Juz age limit (25 and under). Citizens of the United States, Canada or Mexico, including dual citizens, are not eligible for international entry.
- 02
Register like everyone else
Same dates, documents, agreements and registration fee. Choose the 30 Juz Memorization category in the portal.
- 03
A virtual screening
A screening session verifies your memorization. It is held online, so you do not travel until the Final.
- 04
Join the Final in Minneapolis
Up to one male and one female per country become eligible and are added to the North American 30 Juz finalists, July 3 to 11. You arrange your own US visa, travel and accommodation.
Need an invitation letter or a travel letter for your visa application? Contact us and we will help.
06Finalists in 2027
| Category | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Juzwas 20 | 15 | 15 |
| 3 Juznew | 10 | 10 |
| 5 Juzwas 20 | 15 | 15 |
| 10 Juz | 20 | 20 |
| 15 Juz | 20 | 20 |
| 20 Juz | 20 | 20 |
| 30 Juz+ international | 30 | 20 |
Only the top competitors in each category advance to the Final.
The Final Round has limited time, stage space and judges, so each category advances a set number of its highest scorers. Missing the Final is not a judgment of anyone's mastery of the Qur'an. If capacity allowed, we would welcome everyone.
To make room for 3 Juz, 1 Juz and 5 Juz now advance 15 per section instead of 20. Ten Qirāʾāt competitors go straight to the Final; Best Voice finalists are chosen from the nominees' videos; Islamic Studies advances its top 20.