Days after the launch of its online stages, the online platform for the International Qur'an and Adhan Competition received participants from more than 100 countries in the recitation of the Holy Qur'an and adhan (Muslim call to prayer) branches from different countries and continents of the world. All contestants uploaded audio clips for their first participation in the competition, which is the largest of its kind in the world, hoping to pass the online stages and get to the final stages of the competition in the Otr Elkalam TV show. In its initial stages, the competition is witnessing great interest from the contestants, who will be able to reach the finals with distinguished television appearances, in addition to winning the substantial prizes shared by 20 winners from the recitation and adhan tracks. The selection of qualified participants for the next stages of the competition will be through a jury specialized in the recitation of the Holy Qur'an and maqamat (musical structures), including the world's leading reciters and famous judges of international competitions. The qualifiers take place in the initial electronic stages according to transparent criteria in intonation, the sweetness of the voice, the extent of the contestant's ability to control the layers of his voice, the performance that is concerned with the consistency of recitation, realization of letters and words, the clarity of the exits of phonetic sounds, among others. The judgment criteria include equal opportunities for all contestants, especially the mastery of tajwid (rules for the correct pronunciation of the letters) and no stuttering or hesitation in recitation and adhan. The competition, which is supervised by the General Entertainment Authority (GEA), aims to highlight the melodious voices in reciting the Qur'an and adhan through the Otr Elkalam show. The show will be broadcast during the blessed month of Ramadan on MBC TV channel and the Shahid digital platform, with prizes amounting to more than SR12 million. — SG
