The World Federation of KSIMC is organising an International Qur’an Competition titled “Hal Min Muddakir” to nurture a love for the Holy Qur’an, deepen spiritual connections, and elevate the status of the Holy Qur’an in the hearts of participants.  The ISIJ of Toronto and NASIMCO are participating in the competition.

Hal Min Muddakir International Qur’an Competition organized by the World Federation

The World Federation is organizing a multi-stage International Qur’an Competition open to participants from member jamaats.

How it works:
✅ The ISIJ of Toronto will host a local competition in late November
✅ The top-10 participants will advance to a regional competition organized by Nasimco
✅ The winners of the regional competition will then advance to the International competition hosted by the World Federation in Iraq in April 2026

Participation is open to:
✅ Men & women ages 18-25 (group A) and 26-40 (group B)
✅ Four categories: Tarteel (recitation); Hifdh (memorization); Mafaheem (Word-by-word translation); and Tajweed (interpretation)

Get ready to register!
🗓️ Registration will open on Tues Oct 14th at 9:00pm

Register Here

Competition Format

The competition will have three stages – a local, regional, and international.

  • Stage 1:  Local – The ISIJ of Toronto will host a local competition, from which the Top-10 participants will advance to the Regional competition.
  • Stage 2:  Regional – NASIMCO will host a competition for the Top-10 participants from each of the local competitions hosted by its participating member jamaats.  The Top-10 participants from the Regional stage will advance to the International competition.
  • Stage 3:  International – The World Federation of KSIMC will host the grand finale international competition for the Top-10 participants from each of the regional competitions taking place around the world.  This will take place in Iraq in April 2026.

Participant Eligibility for Stage 1 Local Competition

  • The local competition hosted by the ISIJ of Toronto is open to 
    • Men and Women
    • Residing in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA), including Barrie
    • Ages 18-40 as of November 1, 2025 (Group A:  18-25; Group B:  26-40)
  • Participants may be required to provide valid photo identification and proof of age.
Register Here

Competition Categories

Participants will have the opportunity to participate in up to four categories:

  • Tarteel (Recitation) 
  • Recitation of the text of the Holy Qur’an with attention to its rules and in melody.  
  • A passage will be provided on the competition date and the participant will be asked to recite in front of the judges.
  • Participants will be judged on clarity of pronunciation, adherence to tajweed rules, fluency, waqf and ibtdia’, and voice / melody.
  • Mafaheem (Word-for-word translation)
  • Participants will complete a self-paced structured course in collaboration with Ma’aref Academy on their platform (free of charge)
  • For the local competition, the training course will cover 10 lessons to be studied (note:  more lessons will be required for the regional and international competitions)
  • For the competition, participants will be judged via a written assessment on their understanding of the course content, with emphasis on clarity, depth, and correctness.

  • Hifdh (Memorization) 
  • Participants will memorize specific surah’s / verses of the Holy Qur’an based on age group.
  • Participants will be judged on accuracy of memorization, fluency of recitation, speed and confidence, waqf and ibtida’, and correct application of Tajweed rules.
  • The following passages will be tested for the international competition:
  • Group A:  Ages 18-25 will be tested from the following:
    1. Hifdh Mawdu’i (memorization based on subject matter) – this will comprise the Arabic and translation of 15 verses in total:
      1. 6 verses regarding “Imam Mahdi (atfs) in the Qur’an”
      2. 6 verses regarding “The Advice of Luqman to his son”
      3. 3 verses regarding “Ahkam Jurisprudential rulings”
    2. Surah al-Rahman
    3. Surah al-Waqi’ah
    4. Surah Yasin
    5. Surah al-Jumu’ah
    6. Surah al-Mulk

** The Stage 1 Local ISIJ competition will focus primarily on passages A, B, and C. **

  • Group B:  Ages 26-40 will be tested from the following: 
    1. Surah al-Nur (24), verses 32-46 
    2. Surah al-Insan (76), verses 1-22 
    3. Sura al-Hashr (59), verses 18-24 
    4. Hifdh Mawdu’i (memorization based on subject matter) – this will comprise the Arabic and translation of 27 verses in total:
      1. 5 verses regarding “Tawassul in the Qur’an”
      2. 12 verses regarding “Characteristics of ‘Ibad al-Rahman”
      3. 10 verses regarding “Imamah in the Qur’an”
    5. Surah al-Shams to Surah an-Naas (i.e. Surah’s 91 to 114) 

** The Stage 1 Local ISIJ competition will focus primarily on passages A, B, C, and D. **

  • Tafseer (Qur’anic exegesis)
    • Participants must demonstrate comprehensive knowledge and depth of Qur’anic exegesis, contextual understanding, and ability to articulate interpretations effectively citing authentic sources based on the sources selected.
    • Access to the required sources will be provided free-of-charge
    • Participants will be evaluated on the following for the international competition: 
      • Group A: Ages 18-25
        • Surah al-Fatihah & 4 quls
      • Group B: Ages 26-40
        • Surah al-Shams (#91) to Surah al-Nas (#114)
  • **The Stage 1 Local ISIJ competition will focus primarily on Surahs 91-101. **

Local Competition Logistics

  • The local competition will take place at the Jaffari Community Centre in late November 2025 (specific dates and timing will be shared once finalized)
  • Participants must attend and participate in-person during the specified date / time (i.e. there is no option to compete virtually) 
  • Registration will open on October 14, 2025.  Once it has closed, no new registrants will be permitted to join.
  • All questions can be directed to qc@jaffari.org 
Register Here

FAQ

I am currently 40 years old but will be 41 by the time the International competition happens in April 2026. Can I still participate?

Yes, you can still participate.  The age criteria must be met as of November 1, 2025.  For example – since you will be 40 years old on November 1, 2025, you will be permitted to participate. 

Is there any assistance / training available to help me prepare for the competition?

Yes.  For Tarteel, the World Federation is offering optional training for all participants.  For Mafaheem and Tafseer, resources will be provided by the World Federation to participants who register at no cost.  For Hifdh, documents will be provided for the Hifdh Mawdu’i verses.

If I’m in Group B for Tafseer - do I need to study Surah’s 91-114 or Surah’s 91-101?

The guidelines from the World Federation for the International competition is that participants are expected to know Surah’s 91-114.  For the Stage 1 Local competition (i.e. the ISIJ of Toronto competition), we recognize there may not be sufficient time to study all of that by the end of November; so we will focus primarily on 91-101.

Will travel be required for the regional competition hosted by NASIMCO?

NASIMCO will be releasing details about their regional competition soon.  As soon as those details are confirmed (i.e., online vs. in-person; specific dates; etc.), we will update on this page accordingly.

For the International finals in Iraq, will any financial support be provided to the finalists?

The World Federation plans to provide partial sponsorship towards travel and accommodation in Iraq for the Grand Finale.  Specific details are still being finalized and will be shared once ready.