Why Teenagers Drop Out of Quran Contests — And How to Fix It

Quran memorisation and recitation contests have become a staple in many Islamic communities, offering a valuable structure for encouraging young Muslims to engage with the Quran deeply and consistently. While these competitions often begin with enthusiasm, a recurring concern among organisers and community members is the high dropout rate among teenage participants. Understanding why teenagers disengage from such valuable activities is crucial for sustaining their spiritual and educational development. This article explores the key reasons for dropout and offers practical approaches to addressing the issue.

Understanding the Nature of Quran Contests

Quran contests typically evaluate participants on memorisation (Hifz), Tajweed (correct pronunciation and recitation), and sometimes Tafsir (interpretation). These events range from local mosque competitions to national and international contests, often held in person or online.

For younger children, the novelty, recognition, and support from parents usually ensure participation. However, by the time participants enter their teenage years, engagement often wanes. This phase coincides with numerous physical, emotional, social, and academic developments that can interfere with consistent Quranic commitment.

Main Reasons Teenagers Drop Out of Quran Contests

1. Increased Academic Pressure

The teenage years typically coincide with heightened academic expectations, including major school exams, coursework, and extracurricular responsibilities. For students in secondary school or post-16 education, managing time effectively becomes a significant challenge. Quranic revision and preparation—both cognitive and spiritual in nature—compete for attention with school-related demands.

This often leads teenagers to deprioritise Quran contests, especially when performance anxieties, fear of failure, or incomplete preparation become overwhelming.

2. Lack of Age-Specific Motivation and Curriculum

Many competition programmes use a one-size-fits-all model that does not account for developmental differences between younger children and teenagers. While a younger child may be happy to participate for the sake of medals and certificates, teenagers are more likely to seek:

• Purpose: Understanding why their participation matters spiritually or personally
• Autonomy: Having a say in which categories or surahs they wish to memorise
• Relevance: Encountering age-sensitive topics that relate to their daily challenges, such as peer pressure or identity

Without these elements, teenagers may question the point of engaging, especially in comparison to other uses of their time.

3. Poor or Inconsistent Mentorship

Another common issue is a lack of inspiring role models or mentors who can guide teenagers authentically through their Quranic journey. If mentors are overly focused on rigour without compassion, or if they lack rapport with teens, participants may feel disconnected and discouraged rather than empowered.

In some cases, coaching focuses primarily on rote memorisation and repetitive correction without explaining context or significance, making the Quran feel like a burden rather than a source of guidance.

4. Performance Anxiety and Fear of Public Failure

As teenagers become more self-conscious and sensitive to criticism, the fear of making mistakes in front of judges or peers looms large. Whether it’s forgetting ayahs mid-recitation or poor Tajweed under pressure, the experience can be demoralising if not handled tactfully by adults in the room.

Where contests are publicly streamed or recorded, or where judges’ feedback is not delivered constructively, the fear of embarrassment may outweigh the anticipated benefits of participation.

5. Lack of Peer Engagement or Social Reward

Teenagers are highly influenced by peer interaction, and programmes that do not include social bonding opportunities often see a decline in teen interest. In environments where taking part in Quran contests is seen as isolating or lacking excitement, motivation can drop sharply.

Additionally, if friends or siblings of similar age do not participate, teenagers may find it harder to remain committed without social reinforcement.

6. Navigating Identity and Faith Questions

Teenagers naturally begin to question aspects of identity, purpose, and religion as part of their developmental path. During this phase, if the Quran is taught purely as a competitive skillset rather than a spiritual and intellectual pursuit, teens may feel emotionally distanced from it.

Heavy focus on external performance without internal relevance can reinforce the false dichotomy between “religious competition” and “lived Islam,” leading some to drop out of contests altogether.

How to Retain Teenage Participants in Quran Competitions

1. Design Age-Specific Programmes

Tailoring Quran contests to meet the psychological and educational needs of adolescents is key. This includes:

• Offering age-based categories with suitable juz or surah selections
• Integrating topics that connect the Quran to teenage life (e.g., discipline, patience, gender relations, or social responsibility)
• Including optional reflective components such as writing or oral presentations on the meaning of selected passages

This not only helps teenagers connect more deeply to the Quran but also respects their growing intellectual capacities.

2. Provide Supportive Mentorship

Mentorship should move beyond technical correction to encompass motivation, support, and personal development. Mentors who check in regularly, offer encouragement, and withhold judgement can help teenage participants overcome challenges more effectively.

Organisers can consider:

• Creating a pool of well-trained mentors with strong youth engagement skills
• Pairing teens with slightly older mentors who recently went through similar experiences
• Providing emotional and psychological coaching before public performances

3. Incorporate Flexible and Modular Entry Options

Instead of requiring memorisation of large sections of the Quran, contests can offer tiered entry levels or modular assessments. For example:

• Option to enter with a single surah or selected ayahs
• Non-linear participation where teens can join mid-year or repeat prior levels without stigma
• Inclusion of audio or video submissions to ease logistical pressure

Such flexibility can accommodate teens facing fluctuating schedules or temporary disengagement, without them feeling excluded entirely.

4. Create Peer Communities and Group-Based Activities

Strengthening the communal aspect of Quran contests can increase motivation. Ideas include:

• Creating team-based recitation challenges or group revisions
• Organising Quran-themed retreats, camps, or motivational talks
• Encouraging older teen alumni to volunteer and advocate for the event

These strategies help teens see participation as part of a vibrant, supportive network rather than a solitary challenge.

5. Focus on Process, Not Just Outcome

While accuracy and performance are important, shifting attention towards the holistic journey—discipline, effort, and reflection—can help redefine a participant’s sense of success. Judges and organisers can contribute by:

• Including non-competitive segments, such as recitation circles or open mics
• Rewarding participation, consistency, and improvement, not just medals
• Delivering performance feedback that is constructive, private, and encouraging

This mindset encourages continued participation, even among those who do not reach the top ranks.

Conclusion

Teenagers dropping out of Quran contests is a multifaceted issue influenced by developmental changes, social context, and structural weaknesses in how the competitions are designed and delivered. However, by acknowledging teen-specific needs, creating inclusive and flexible structures, and fostering positive mentorship and community engagement, organisers can make Quran contests more meaningful and sustainable for adolescent participants.

Above all, the focus should be on nurturing a lifelong connection with the Quran, rather than on short-term accolades. When teenagers feel respected, motivated, and spiritually enriched, retention becomes not just possible but likely.

If you need help with your Quran competition platform or marking tools, email info@qurancompetitions.tech.