Competition Rules
Eligibility: The competition is open to all high school and middle school students who wish to participate.
Age Categories: There will be separate categories for high school and middle school students.
Judging Panel: Qualified judges knowledgeable will evaluate the participants.
Scoring Criteria: Participants will be judged based on accuracy, fluency, pronunciation, Tajweed, and overall presentation.
Dress Code: Participants are expected to wear black dress pants with a white button-down.
Time Limits: Each participant will have a specified time limit for recitation.
Preparation: Participants must come prepared with their memorization and recitations.
Respect: Participants must show respect towards fellow participants, judges, and organizers at all times.
Categories: Contestants may choose to compete in one or more categories: Reading, Memorization, and Maqam.
Categories
CATEGORY 1: Recitation of the Quran
Recitation should be with proper Tajweed, with emotion, beauty, and accuracy.
A random passage from the Quran will be selected for the recitation.
The articulation of the letters (Makharij) will be assessed.
The page should be recited within an average timeframe. (Avg. Time 1:45–2:15)
All Tajweed rules must be applied.
CATEGORY 2: Memorization of the Quran
Candidates must memorize chapters corresponding to their level.
The participant should recite the surah correctly, without making any mistakes by applying all the tajweed rules and without stumbling at the appropriate pace.
Each mistake made will be 1 point deducted.
CATEGORY 3: Melodic Recitation of the Quran (Maqam) / Adhan
Qur’an (Maqam) – High School Only
Select a passage from the Qur’an consisting of at least three lines. This can be either a short Surah or selected verses from any Surah.
Recite the chosen passage using your own tone with the maqam (melodic recitation) method.
Pay attention to the correct articulation points (Makharij) and the rules of Tajweed during the recitation.
Adhan – Middle School Only
Participants are invited to perform the Adhan with a focus on melodic beauty.
It is recommended to perform the Adhan using a recognized maqam.
You may listen to a specific Adhan recitation (e.g., on YouTube) multiple times—ideally at least 10 times—to improve your recitation.
Ensure clarity and correctness in the pronunciation of the phrases.
AWARDS
| Category | Memorization | Adhan | Recitation Maqam | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| L1 | L2 | L3 | L4 | |||
| HS – 1st | $100 | $150 | $200 | $250 | $200 | $200 |
| HS – 2nd | $75 | $125 | $150 | $200 | $150 | $150 |
| HS – 3rd | $50 | $100 | $100 | $150 | $100 | $100 |
| MS – 1st | $100 | $150 | $175 | $200 | $150 | $150 |
| MS – 2nd | $75 | $125 | $150 | $150 | $125 | $125 |
| MS – 3rd | $50 | $100 | $125 | $125 | $100 | $100 |