President Abdel Fattah El Sisi on Monday honoured the winners of the “Dawlet el-Telawa” (State of Recitation) initiative, Egypt’s premier Qur’anic recitation competition, during the Lailat al‑Qadr celebration held at Al Manara International Convention Centre in New Cairo.
The ceremony, part of the Ministry of Awqaf’s night of remembrance in the final days of Ramadan 2026, was attended by religious leaders and senior state officials, highlighting the event’s spiritual and cultural significance.
At the culmination of the competition, Belal Seif was awarded first place in the Tarteel (Qur’anic Recitation) category, while Mohamed Kamel secured first place in the Tajweed (Qur’anic Intonation) category. Omar Ali won the audience choice award through public voting.
The winners received top prizes of LE1 million, the honour of recording the entire Qur’an for national broadcast, and the opportunity to lead Taraweeh prayers at Al-Hussein Mosque in Cairo.
The event also celebrated the broader mission of nurturing young talent in mastering the Qur’an and its recitation.
In its inaugural season, Dawlet el-Telawa attracted thousands of applicants, who were gradually narrowed down through televised rounds judged by a panel of experienced scholars.
The initiative aims to revive and celebrate Egypt’s long-standing tradition of Qur’anic recitation in both Tajweed and Tarteel.
