Minister of Awqaf (Religious Endowments) Osama Al-Azhari inaugurated on Sunday the second season of the Dawlat Al-Tilawah “State of Recitation” competition at the Sayyida Nafisa Mosque, describing the initiative as a major national, cultural and religious project following the outstanding success of its inaugural edition.
In a statement issued by the Awqaf Ministry, the minister said the competition had received widespread support from Egyptian families, reflecting the deep bond between the Egyptian people and the Holy Qur’an.
Quoting the Prophet Muhammad’s saying, “Adorn the Quran with your voices”, he noted that the second season builds on the ministry’s successful partnership with United Media Services Company.
Al-Azhari announced that more than 25,000 contestants had registered this year, compared with around 14,000 in the first season, with Sharqia Governorate recording the highest number of applicants.
He also revealed that the divine name “Al-Latif” (The Subtle One) had been chosen as the theme of this edition in recognition of its spiritual significance and its resonance with the Egyptian character.
The minister chaired the judging panel at the Sayyida Nafisa Mosque, overseeing the assessment of three contestants. Preliminary rounds are being held across 10 governorates between 5 and 13 July 2026, beginning simultaneously in Cairo and Sharqia to accommodate the record number of participants.
He explained that the ministry aims to foster positive competition among governorates, districts and villages in serving the Holy Quran.
A key feature of the second season is enhanced competition throughout the preliminary rounds, culminating in the selection of 32 finalists whose performances will be recorded and broadcast, as in the first season.
Al-Azhari said the competition seeks to discover exceptional Quranic voices, noting that while the rules of Tajweed can be acquired through study and practice, a beautiful voice is a God-given gift.
He added that the ministry is committed to identifying and nurturing such talents, reviving Egypt’s distinguished legacy of Quranic recitation.
The minister recalled President Abdel Fattah El Sisi’s praise for the initiative during the Ministry’s Laylat al-Qadr celebration and the celebration honouring Egyptian women and ideal mothers, where he described the project as an inspiring national model and expressed hope that its success would inspire similar initiatives in science, creativity and innovation.
