DUBAI // One of the emirate's most striking mosques is hoping to attract non-Muslims to an international Quran recital contest it is hosting.
The five-day Dubai International Holy Quran Award begins tomorrow at Al Farooq Omar Ibn Al Khattab Mosque and Centre in Jumeirah.
The competition is open to all and will include recitals by imams and children.
"It's a real honour for us to be chosen to stage this competition," said Abdel Malek Abdel Khalek, the manager of the mosque and centre, which opened last July. "We are inviting non-Muslims to take a look and be part of the event.
"One of the key missions we have here is to encourage better understanding between East and West."
The contest is being held in the mosque's main prayer hall, with competitors from the Middle East, Asia and Africa.
"We are expecting hundreds of people to take part and up to 2,000 people to attend the event," Mr Abdel Khalek said.
"The judges will be looking at how the Quran is recited and how well it is done so. They have a strict set of criteria they measure the recital under."
The competition is free to enter.
Recitals are to take place from 7.30pm to 8.30pm and the final is to be held on May 28.
