11 Year Old Iraqi Reciter Wins $1m Dubai Quran Award

Karrar Layth Saad triumphs in the male category of the 2026 Dubai International Holy Quran Award.

By Sadiq Abdulfatah

An 11-year-old Quran reciter from Iraq, Karrar Layth Saad, has emerged first place in the male category of the 2026 Dubai International Holy Quran Award.

Saad received the $1 million prize from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai.

The annual competition drew contestants from several countries, showcasing their mastery of Quranic recitation.

Saad had earlier attracted attention after recording a complete recitation of the Holy Quran at the age of 10, believed to be the first full recording by a child. The recitation was broadcast by the Iraqi Media Network.

Other finalists in the male category included Abdullah Faisal Al Buti from Kuwait and Omar Aly Awad from Egypt.

In the female category, Jana Ehab Ramadan of Egypt secured first place and also received $1 million. Aisyah AR Rumy from Indonesia and Sara Abdul Karim Alhalak from Syria were the other finalists.

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