Encouraging Underrepresented Groups to Enter Quran Events

Quran events, such as recitation competitions, memorisation contests, and interpretation seminars, offer valuable opportunities for spiritual growth, community building, and educational enrichment. However, participation in these events is not always proportionate across different demographics. Encouraging underrepresented groups to engage more actively requires both understanding the barriers they face and implementing practical strategies to foster inclusive participation.

Understanding Underrepresentation in Quran Events

Underrepresentation in Quran activities typically refers to a noticeable lack of participation from specific segments of the Muslim community. This may include:

• Women and girls
• People with disabilities
• Young children or teenagers in secular education settings
• Converts or reverts unfamiliar with Islamic traditions and competitions
• Linguistic minorities within the Muslim world, particularly non-Arabic speakers
• Economically disadvantaged individuals with limited access to resources

Each group faces unique challenges, but many of the underlying issues—such as limited access, cultural norms, and lack of tailored support—can be addressed through structured and inclusive planning.

Identifying Common Barriers to Participation

To develop effective strategies, it is first important to understand the obstacles that might prevent someone from participating in Quran-related events. These may include:

Lack of Awareness or Information

Many potential participants are unaware of Quran competitions, especially in non-Arab countries or within small communities with limited outreach. Furthermore, event information may only be distributed through specific networks, making access difficult for new Muslims or isolated families.

Language and Literacy Challenges

Since the Quran is in Arabic, those from non-Arabic speaking backgrounds may feel unqualified to participate in events. Limited Arabic literacy or fluency in reading and pronunciation can be a significant barrier, even for motivated learners. Similarly, information about events may not be presented in multiple languages, limiting outreach potential.

Gender-specific Barriers

In some communities, social and cultural norms may restrict female participation in public religious events. Concerns over modesty, lack of female-only competitions, or absence of female instructors and judges may dissuade women and girls from joining.

Accessibility for People with Disabilities

Few Quran events cater to individuals with visual, auditory, cognitive, or physical disabilities. Lack of accessible venues, material in braille or large print, audio support, or sign language interpretation limits inclusive participation.

Economic Constraints

Competitions held in distant locations or requiring travel, registration fees, or specific clothing and material may be financially inaccessible. This disproportionately affects those from lower income households who may prioritise basic needs over extracurricular religious activities.

Strategies to Encourage Inclusive Participation

Addressing underrepresentation requires a multifaceted approach that combines outreach, resource development, inclusive policies and community support.

1. Increase Outreach and Visibility

• Use diverse communication channels: Promote events through community centres, schools, social media, mosques, and local organisations to reach wider audiences.
• Translate materials: Ensure all promotional and instructional content is available in multiple languages, especially those commonly spoken within the community (e.g., Urdu, Somali, Bangla, Turkish, etc.).
• Promote through convert support groups: Partner with organisations that work with new Muslims to ensure they are aware of opportunities and feel welcomed to participate.

2. Provide Training and Mentorship Opportunities

• Offer beginner-level classes: Create introductory Quran reading and tajweed workshops to lower the entry barrier for newcomers and non-native speakers.
• Develop mentorship programmes: Pair experienced reciters or competitors with newcomers to build confidence and provide guidance on practices and expectations.
• Support learners with disabilities: Work with specialists to offer tailored teaching approaches, such as learning through audio or tactile means.

3. Create Inclusive Competition Structures

• Include multiple categories: Offer different levels based on fluency, age, ability, and experience. This allows for fair participation by individuals at varied stages in their Quranic journey.
• Create women-only or youth-only events: Hosting competitions for specific groups can address cultural reservations and increase comfort levels for those who might not join mixed-gender events.
• Host local and online events: Allow participation from home or nearby locations, particularly through video entries or hybrid judging systems, to reduce travel burdens and reach remote communities.

4. Improve Physical and Technological Accessibility

• Select accessible venues: Ensure event locations meet requirements for wheelchair users, include clear signage, and allow for guide dog entry if necessary.
• Use assistive technologies: Provide access to screen readers, Qurans with braille, magnifiers, or digital tools that help participants with visual or cognitive difficulties.
• Offer inclusive judging criteria: Consider alternative methods to assess understanding and effort rather than requiring perfect Arabic pronunciation alone, especially for new speakers or differently-abled participants.

5. Collaborate with Community Organisations

• Work with local mosques and schools: These institutions already have relationships with families and individuals across a range of demographics, making them ideal partners for promoting event participation.
• Involve women’s and youth organisations: Partner with groups that represent underrepresented voices to help design, lead, and promote inclusive initiatives.
• Leverage technology providers: Collaborate with developers of Quran education platforms and competition software to integrate features that support a wide range of users.

Case Studies and Examples

Many Quran events around the world have implemented inclusive measures with positive results. For instance, in the UK, several regional competitions introduce categories specifically tailored to children under 10, non-fluent readers, and adult learners. This not only broadens the entrant pool, but also fosters a supportive atmosphere for diverse participation.

In Bahrain, some competitions have featured braille Quran reading contests exclusively for the visually impaired, setting an example of effective accommodation. Meanwhile, organisers in Malaysia and Indonesia have utilised mobile apps to collect video submissions, enabling participation from remote or low-income rural areas.

Such models demonstrate that inclusivity is achievable and beneficial—not only for the participants themselves but for enriching the spiritual and cultural tapestry of the community.

Benefits of Inclusive Quran Events

Creating inclusive Quran events delivers both immediate and long-term benefits at an individual and community level:

• Empowerment: Participation fosters confidence, especially among individuals who may otherwise view themselves as outsiders to formal Quranic study.
• Social cohesion: Diverse events bring together people from different backgrounds, strengthening community ties.
• Spiritual development: Engaging with the Quran deeply and consistently leads to greater understanding and a closer relationship with the text.
• Education: Events often serve as a learning pathway—participants improve reading, memorisation, pronunciation and comprehension.

Conclusion

Encouraging underrepresented groups to enter Quran events requires thoughtful planning, inclusive systems, and sustainable partnerships. While challenges exist, the solutions are proven and practical—ranging from improved outreach and mentoring to conscious event structuring and accessibility enhancements. Through proactive efforts, organisers and community members alike can ensure that Quran events are welcoming, meaningful, and representative of the full diversity of the Muslim ummah.

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