These included the contestants of China, Ireland, Georgia, Serbia, Macedonia, Sweden, Norway, Mauritius, Barbados, New Zealand and Singapore, he said. "The competitions unit has long prepared over 500 questions."

According to him, the 14-categoty award has seen massive developments over the last 21 years. "An unprecedented 103 contestants are competing - for the first time - in the 21st session of the global competition this year, the 'Year of Giving'."

The competition is held annually under the aegis of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. "The DIHQA, now a global leading hub for Quran memorisers, attracts high calibre scholars and competent full Quran memorisers from around the world."

With eight new participants examined on Tuesday night, 39 full Quran memorisers have so far sat for the final tests of the competition's 21st edition.

Tight memorisations and tuneful recitations have attracted large crowds from different nationalities to the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry, where the contest sessions are being held at 10pm every night until Ramadan 20.

The fifth batch of competitors on Tuesday night were Mohamedou Abeka from Mauritania, Eren Pilgir (Turkey), Ismail Omar Madar (Somalia), Magomedov Gadzhimurad (Russia), Ak Muhammad Abdul Qadir Bin Pg Ibrahim (Brunei), Naadhih Abdul Hameed (Maldives), Ibrahim Samate (Guinea-Bissau), and Berte Oumarou (Cote D'ivoire).

Eight more contestants were to be examined on Wednesday night: Koanda Hassane from Burkina Faso, Asgary Manalocon Dirampatun (Philippines), Omar M S A S A Alrefai (Kuwait), Mohammed Wurrie Barry (Liberia), Mohamed Arkam Mohamed Hussain (Sri Lanka), Abduqodirzoda Muhammadjon (Tajikistan), Diallo Mamadou Tafsir (Guinea), and Abdul Rashid Tawab (Malawi).

[email protected]

Ahmed Shaaban

Originally from Egypt, I have been in Dubai since December 2005. Before coming here, I worked as an English language instructor, chief En/Ar translator, proofreader, reporter in Egypt and Qatar. I have also worked as a reporter, correspondent and simultaneous translator with two satellite channels in Dubai. I have a masters degree in media, Cairo University, 2014, a bachelor degree in English language and translation, Ain Shams University, Cairo, 1996, and three post-graduate diplomas in English language and Instruction. With over 19 years of experience in translation, interpretation, EFL instruction, and reporting. I am interested in technology, aviation, politics, as well as community, parliament and defence issues. I enjoy reading, writing, exercising, and surfing the web.