A'rustaq: The preliminary qualifications for the 34th edition of the Sultan Qaboos Holy Quran Competition began today at the Sultan Qaboos Mosque in the Wilayat of A'Rustaq, South Al Batinah Governorate. As many as 95 male and female contestants are taking part in various levels of the competition, which will last for two days.

According to Oman News Agency, the competition is organized by the Sultan Qaboos Higher Center for Culture and Science at the Diwan of Royal Court and is conducted across 28 centers distributed throughout the wilayats of the Sultanate of Oman. This year, two new centers, Al Jabal Al Akhdar Center and Dima Wattayeen Center, have been added to expand the competition's reach.

Youssef Mohammed Al Balushi, Vice Chairman of the Preliminary and Final Qualification Committees, stated that this edition has seen 2,214 male and female contestants registered across its seven levels. He emphasized that the competition's goals include encouraging Omanis to memorize the Holy Quran, master its recitation and intonation, read it correctly and properly, adhere to its teachings, and foster a Quranic generation excelling in recitation. The competition also aims to enhance the Sultanate of Oman's presence in international Quranic competitions.