Abu Dhabi Crown Prince honours Emirates International Holy Quran Award winners

Abu Dhabi witnessed a momentous occasion as the first-ever Emirates International Holy Quran Award winners were honoured in a prestigious ceremony held at the Majlis Mohamed bin Zayed on Saturday. The event celebrated the achievements of outstanding individuals in both international and local categories.

In the International Category, UAE's Sheikha Alia bint Saeed Maktoum Rashid Al Maktoum and Rashid Ali Khalfan Binkhalaf Al Naqbi were among the winners, showcasing the nation's commitment to the Holy Quran. Other distinguished winners included Lith Isehaq Al Kendi from Oman, Mohammed Adnan AlOmari and Mohammed Sameer Magahed from Bahrain, Mahmoud Ali Attiya Habib from Egypt, Ilias laMhayaoui from Morocco, Ekaha Ould Beitate from Mauritania, Mohammed Sami Mitwali from Palestine and Fatima Lawn Abubakar from Nigeria.

The Local Category also featured remarkable winners, including Suhaib Ali Mohammed Dawood Abdullah, Omar Mohamed Ali Alkabouri Al Naqbi, Omar Muammar Ali Ahmed Ba Nabila, and Aisha Ali Mohamed Alechla Al Ali from the UAE. Additionally, Abdul Wadud Sorif Hussain from Bangladesh, Mansour Mohamed Mansour Elatrawy and Aesha Elsebaey Mohamed Mohamed Elbasyouni from Egypt, Ansam Ahmad Sweedan from Syria and Zeinabou Kbar from Mauritania were recognised for their excellence.

Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, had the honour of presenting the awards to the winners.

Mona Abdulqader Salem AlGhassani, Former Director of Religious Centres and Institutes Administration at the General Authority of Islamic Affairs, Endowments & Zakat, was given special recognition for her 20 years of dedicated service in promoting the Holy Quran. The Emirates Red Crescent was also acknowledged as a key supporting entity of the award.

Organised by the General Authority of Islamic Affairs, Endowments & Zakat (AWQAF), the ceremony began with a moving recitation of the Holy Quran by Ghaniya Ali Al-Azizi. A short film highlighted the UAE’s leadership in supporting Quranic education through local and international initiatives. This reflects the enduring legacy of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, whose vision inspires Quranic memorisation efforts worldwide.