Al-Qalam 
By Azra Hoosen
The sound of the Qur’aan, recited with beauty and precision, will once again take centre stage as Cape Town prepares to host the finals of the International Qur’aan Recital Award (IQRA) from 12 to 14 September at Masjidul Mubarak, Belhar.
Now in its 20th year, IQRA has become one of South Africa’s most respected platforms for nurturing Qur’aan recitation talent. What began in 2005 as a small regional competition in Cape Town has transformed into a national and international event drawing participants from across South Africa and beyond.
Sheikh Muntahaa Kenny, chairperson of the South African Qur’aan Union and coordinator of IQRA, told Al-Qalam about their journey: “When we started in 2005, it was only Cape Town reciters who participated, with maybe one or two from outside the city.
Over the years, it became truly national, with regional competitions in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape feeding into the finals.”
Today, IQRA accommodates reciters of all ages, with junior, intermediate, senior, open and even a Champs of Champs category for past winners. Up to 50 contestants are expected at this year’s finals, representing Cape Town, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Northern Cape, Mpumalanga, Malawi, Mozambique, Mauritius, Zambia, Tanzania, Zanzibar and even the USA.
Unlike a Hifdh competition, IQRA focuses on the art of recitation: Melody, Tajweed, eloquence and mastery of tune. Contestants are assigned passages to prepare and recite before a panel of judges. “The essence of this competition is not how much Qur’aan you know by heart but how beautifully, accurately and eloquently you can present the passages that are given to you,” said Sheikh Muntahaa.
Running a competition of this scale requires immense dedication. “The preparation is year-round. As soon as one event ends, we begin with prelims and developmental programmes so that by the time the reciters reach the finals and later represent South Africa abroad, they are fully prepared,” he explained.
According to Sheikh Muntahaa, Masjidul Mubarak was chosen as the venue after attempts to host the event outside Cape Town were unsuccessful. The masjid carries significance as part of a strong Muslim community with experience in hosting large programmes.
This year, an online female prelim attracted participants from various provinces. “Generally, in South Africa, when it comes to female reciters, you mostly find them in Cape Town. But this year, we were quite encouraged, most of the contestants actually came from Mpumalanga and Gauteng. That shows how much the culture of recitation is spreading nationally,” he said.
This development marks a significant step towards greater inclusivity and representation. “Over the past decade, KZN has steadily produced a growing number of talented reciters, many of whom have excelled in the local competition,” Sheikh Muntahaa noted.
The competition has also embraced technology to improve accuracy. Last year, organisers introduced an electronic judging system, replacing manual scoring. Judges now input scores on devices, ensuring greater precision. “We moved away from manual marking to a digital system, which reduces mistakes and standardises judging,” Sheikh Muntahaa said.
Each contestant is assessed by four judges specialising in Tajweed, voice usage, presentation and Waqf (stopping and continuing), with oversight by a judge present to ensure fairness.
When asked what separates a world-class reciter from the rest, Sheikh Muntahaa told Al-Qalam that it is about presentation, articulation, Tajweed, voice control and knowing exactly where to stop and continue. “Understanding meaning is critical, without that, the recitation loses its soul,” he added.
IQRA’s impact stretches far beyond South Africa. Over the years, South African reciters trained through the competition have achieved notable success internationally. The model itself has gained recognition abroad, with other countries replicating the approach.
But sustaining an event of this scale comes with challenges. Sponsorship remains a pressing concern. “A programme of this magnitude needs financial and community support to keep the event alive,” he said.
At its heart, IQRA is about more than a competition. It is a celebration of the Qur’aan, of the power of its sound to uplift and inspire. “Whoever goes on to represent South Africa internationally carries the voice of the Muslim community with them. Our duty is to nurture, prepare and celebrate those voices,” Sheikh Muntahaa said.
