When Young Voices Fill the Room with the Quran
A decade of nurturing Malaysia's next generation of Quranic talent — and this year's celebration was the biggest yet.
The hall at IDRISSI International School Bukit Jelutong was filled with excitement on 7 March 2026. Proud parents leaned forward in their seats as young participants — some as young as five years old — stepped up to the microphone with remarkable confidence. It was a truly special day, and a fitting way to mark a decade of the IDRISSI Youth Qari Competition. This year, 75 young Quranic talents from 20 schools across Malaysia came together to compete across six categories, making it the most well-attended edition yet.
"Surely, with hardship comes ease"
— Surah Ash-Sharh 94:6
Theme of the 10th IDRISSI Youth Qari Competition
This year's theme wasn't just a beautiful verse — it was a lived experience for many of the competitors. Getting up in front of judges, parents and guests takes real courage, especially for the younger ones. But again and again, these children rose to the moment.
What the competition looks like
Participants took part across six categories — Hafazan, Tilawa, Tafseer, Athan and more — each testing a different dimension of their relationship with the Quran. Every performance was evaluated by a panel of experienced Quranic scholars and educators on tajweed, accuracy, delivery and comprehension. No two recitations were alike, and each participant brought something truly their own to the stage.
Back in person and bigger than ever
One of the most heartwarming parts of this year's event? It was fully in-person. After last year's edition saw one category moved online, the team at IDRISSI was thrilled to welcome everyone back under one roof.
This year we were able to conduct the event physically, compared to last year where one category was held online. Alhamdulillah, the overwhelming response this year — with participation from more than 20 schools nationwide — was truly a blessing.
— Ustadh Assane, Principal, IDRISSI International School Setia Alam
The growth in participation speaks for itself. More schools, more students, more families making the journey — it's a sign that this kind of programme is genuinely valued by Malaysia's Muslim communities.
More than just a competition
The real magic, though, isn't in the trophies. It's in the moments backstage, the deep breaths before stepping up to the microphone, and the quiet pride on a child's face when they finish their recitation. One participant captured it perfectly:
I was nervous standing in front of the judges, but remembering the theme 'Surely, with hardship comes ease' gave me the courage to keep going. It taught me that challenges are opportunities to grow.
— Competition participant
That right there is what IDRISSI has been quietly building for a decade — young people who carry the Quran not just in their voices, but in their character. The competition is a reflection of the school's broader commitment to holistic education, where Islamic values, leadership and personal growth go hand in hand with academic excellence.
After ten years of impact, the IDRISSI Youth Qari Competition continues to remind us that when young hearts connect with the Quran, they don't just become better students — they become future leaders of the ummah. Here's to the next ten years. 🤍
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