No fewer than 21,000 Muslims from 162 countries have registered to compete in Quran Recitation and Athan competitions for the coveted prize of 12,000 Saudi Riyal (almost N120 Million).
The General Entertainment Authority (GEA), which handles the competitions, said in a statement today, July 20 that the initiative is aimed at providing a rich experience to the world by highlighting the diversity of the Muslim World’s cultures, reflected through the style of Quran Recitation and Athan performance, and to enhance the image of Islam and Muslims internationally.
The Authority noted that there had been steady increase in the number of people registered in these competitions, adding that number of participants have grown from 11,000 to more than 21,000.
The statement said that registration, which is still ongoing via a website address: https://quranathanawards.com will close at the end of July.
The winner of the Quran Recitation competition, according to the statement, will receive a prize of SAR5 million ($1.3 million), while the winner of the Athan competition will receive an award of SAR2 million ($530,000).
The competitions consist of several phases with the first stage including receiving participants’ applications via the website, followed by the shortlisted of applicantsfrom July 24 to August 23. The on-stage live performances will take place from August 24 to September 24, and the winners will be announced and awarded throughout the final stage, which will run from September 25 to October 25.
The competitions were the brainchild of the chairman of the General Entertainment Authority, Sheikh Turki Al Sheikh in early 2019 line with one of the pillars of the Kingdom’s vision 2030 towards creating a vibrant society.
The General Entertainment Authority was established specifically to organize, develop, and lead the entertainment sector to provide exciting entertainment options, and tailored experiences to the needs of people from all walks of life around Saudi Arabia. It is also fashioned out to stimulate the role of the private sector in building and developing entertainment activities.
The General Entertainment Authority contributes to supporting the Saudi economy by participating in diversifying its sources, raising its gross domestic product, supporting small and medium enterprises and increasing the proportion of foreign direct investment in the entertainment sector.
