Bahrain: Bahraini memoriser Sara Mohamed Abdullah Hasan Husaini came first at the third edition of the Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak International Holy Quran award, going home with a prize money of Dh250,000.

Ibrahim Mohamed Bu Melha, Adviser to the Ruler of Dubai for Cultural and Humanitarian Affairs and Chairman of the organising committee of the Dubai International Holy Quran Award (Dihqa), said Senegalese national Maimouna Lo ranked second to win Dh200,000.

"The third position and a prize of Dh150,000 were secured by Khaoula Azouz, Algeria."

"Up to Dh65,000 will be given to the winner of the fourth position in comparison to Dh60,000 for the fifth, Dh55,000 for the sixth, Dh50,000 for the seventh, Dh45,000 for the eighth, Dh40,000 for the ninth, Dh35,000 for the tenth."

The Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak International Holy Quran Competition, a major programme of the 14-branch Dubai International Holy Quran Award, is only open for full Quran female memorisers below the age of 25 years from around the globe.

The concluding ceremony of the competition was held at the Cultural and Scientific Association at Al Mamzar area, Dubai, on Friday, under the sponsorship and in the presence of Sheikh Hessa bint Maktoum bin Juma Al Maktoum and Noura Khalifa Al Suwaidi, director-general of the General Women's Union, on behalf of Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak, Mother of the Nation.

Amina Al Daboos, executive Director of the Sheikha Latifa Bint Mohammed Award for Childhood Creativity, said this Quranic festival saw a stiff, yet fair, competition from 64 memorisers worldwide.