Ahmed Burhan Mohamed, a 16-year-old who represented the US in the global award, won the top position of the 'International Quran Competition', apart from the Dh250,000 prize money. 20-year-old Hamzah Al Basheer Salim Harshah, who represented Libya, ranked second in the 22nd edition of the award, while Mohamed Maaref of Tunisia shared the second position with him for having the same scores. 

The top Quran memorizer, Ahmed Burhan Mohamed, beat Hamzah Al Basheer Salim Harshah, Libya, and Mohamed Maaref, Tunisia, both in the second spot. They both bagged Dh200,000 for coming second, KTimes reported. 

The other top seven included Ahmed Herkat, Algeria (4th); Ibrahim Abdullah A Alsaawi, Saudi Arabia (5th); Oumarou Drame, Mali (6th); Khalid Abdinasir Moalin Ahmed, UK (First 7th); Abdullatif Abdulmajeed Abdullatif Bastaki, Bahrain (Second 7th); Nasser Nihad Ibrahim Dib, Jordan (9th); Hassane Jibrilla Oumarou, Niger (First 10th); and Jawhar Abdulahi Mahamed, Ethiopia (Second 10th). 

"The fourth winner will go home with Dh65,000 while the fifth will get Dh60,000, but Dh55,000 will be given to the sixth, Dh50,000 for the first and second seventh, Dh40,000 for the ninth, and Dh35,000 for the 1st and 2nd tenth position." 

The contestants, who scored (80 per cent) and above, were rewarded with Dh30,000 each while those scoring (70-79 per cent), received Dh25,000 each, and those scoring less than (70 per cent) got Dh20,000 each. Appreciation certificates and cash prizes were given away to other participants. 

Ibrahim Mohammed Bu Melha, adviser to the Ruler of Dubai for Cultural and Humanitarian Affairs and Head of the Dihqa organizing committee, said the award - which started with two sections in 1997 - has branched out to 14 categories. 

"The award has seen quantum leaps and developments over 22 years that it attracted up to unprecedented 104 contestants this year." 

Records show that full Quran memorizers from more than 160 countries have chipped in the Award over its 22-year duration, he added. "The Award has become a leading hub for male and female Quran memorizers from across the globe."