The Katara Cultural Village Foundation in Qatar has announced the winners of the Katara Award for Quran Recitation for the 2026 edition. Among the notable winners, the first prize of 500,000 Qatari Riyals (approximately 137,000 USD) was awarded to Libyan reader Mohamed Al-Wafi Idris Hamad. Following closely, the second prize went to Iraqi reader Dhurgam Jihadi Khudair, with a reward of 400,000 Riyals (about 110,000 USD), while Iranian readers Mehdi Gholamnejad and Seyed Mustafa Hosseini secured the third and fourth positions, respectively, along with their respective cash prizes.

The awards highlight a trend wherein the majority of the recipients belong to a youthful demographic, primarily ranging from their mid-twenties to their late thirties. This age group has shown a significant participation rate not only in the current edition but across many past editions of the award. All five winners have had a strong connection to the Quran since their childhood, which indicates a long-term commitment and cultural engagement with this form of recitation.

The Katara Award for Quran Recitation serves both as a celebration of Quranic art and a promotional effort for the cultural respect associated with Quran recitation in the Arab world. The substantial financial rewards also serve to encourage young talents in this field, creating a nurturing environment for future generations to partake in and honor this important cultural heritage.