RIYADH, Tuesday, April 21, 2026 (WNP): King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, has approved the holding of the second Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Competition for Memorizing the Holy Quran and the Prophet’s Sunnah for African countries, scheduled to take place in Senegal.

The competition will be held from 6 to 11 Dhu al-Qi’dah 1447 AH, with the participation of 100 contestants representing 53 African nations, reflecting a wide geographical outreach and strong engagement from across the continent.

Abdul Latif bin Abdulaziz Al Sheikh, Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance, expressed profound gratitude to the Saudi leadership for its continued patronage of initiatives promoting the Holy Quran and the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him).

The competition is being organized by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance, in collaboration with the General Authority for Endowments, and facilitated through the Kingdom’s Religious Attaché in Senegal. It aims to promote the memorization, understanding, and reflection upon the Holy Quran and the Prophetic Sunnah, while fostering values of moderation, tolerance, and unity among Muslim societies.

The initiative also seeks to encourage constructive competition in religious learning, identify emerging talent in Quranic sciences, and strengthen bonds of brotherhood among Muslim nations. It further underscores Saudi Arabia’s leading role in supporting programs dedicated to the service and global dissemination of Islamic teachings.

The competition comprises two principal categories. The Quran category includes four subcategories: full memorization of the Quran with the ten canonical readings; full memorization with Tajweed and interpretation of the last ten parts; memorization of ten parts; and memorization of three parts.

The Sunnah category consists of three subcategories, focusing on memorization of the abridged Sahih Al-Bukhari at varying levels, along with knowledge of narrators’ biographies and related virtues, with emphasis on chapter comprehension.

The competition is expected to serve as a prominent platform for nurturing a new generation committed to authentic Islamic values and for reinforcing the enduring connection of Muslim youth with the Holy Quran and the Sunnah.