What We Learned From Digitising 10 Quran Contests

The digitisation of Quran competitions has transformed how these events are organised, judged, and experienced. Over the course of digitising 10 diverse Quran contests — ranging from local school-based events to regional and national-level online competitions — several valuable lessons and insights have surfaced. These findings can guide organisers, judges, and institutions as they move towards automating and enhancing traditional memorisation and recitation events using digital tools.

The Increasing Need for Digitisation

As participation in Quran competitions expands globally, the need for scalable, efficient, and transparent processes becomes more evident. The COVID-19 pandemic further accelerated the shift toward virtual models, challenging organisers to maintain competition quality while accommodating remote participation. Digitisation not only met this necessity but also introduced long-term benefits in data management, accessibility, and consistency.

Key Lessons From Digitising Quran Competitions

1. Data Organisation Significantly Streamlines Management

Traditional Quran competitions often rely heavily on manual documentation, which can lead to errors, delays, and inconsistencies. When contests were digitised, all data—including participant details, registration status, scores, and judge feedback—were stored in one centralised system. This provided several efficiency gains:

  • Quick access to participant profiles by judges and administrators.
  • Automated validation of eligibility criteria (e.g., age, memorisation category).
  • Error reduction in data entry and duplication across multiple stages.

For example, in one regional competition with 250+ participants, transitioning to an online registration and scoring system reduced administrative preparation time by over 40% compared to previous years.

2. Better Accessibility for Participants and Judges

Digitisation removed several logistical barriers that previously limited participation. In past physical contests, travel costs and availability of qualified judges were recurring challenges. With online platforms, judges could assess performances remotely, and competitors could participate from their homes or local mosques. Specific benefits observed include:

  • Participants from rural or international locations could join events for the first time.
  • Multiple judges across time zones could collaboratively assess recordings at their flexibility.
  • Female participants, especially in conservative settings, had increased participation options.

Furthermore, voice or video submissions helped accommodate those who faced internet connectivity issues during live sessions.

3. Standardisation of Scoring Criteria

In manual competitions, judges may interpret scoring rubrics differently, introducing inconsistencies. Digitised platforms allow standardisation of assessment by embedding score categories with descriptions, example error types, and predefined deduction methods. Most systems use scoring criteria such as:

  • Tajweed accuracy – proper pronunciation and articulation.
  • Memorisation – correctness, fluency, and gap detections.
  • Voice and recitation style – tone, rhythm, and emotion.

This clarity leads to more transparent and explainable scoring, which is particularly important when feedback is shared with participants or parents. Some platforms also track judge deviations to ensure fairness and flag outliers for review.

4. Automation Reduces Administrative Burden

Historically, competition organisers needed to manage waiting lists, send manual updates, and coordinate schedules. Digitised systems automate many of these functions:

  • Instant notifications at registration approval, schedule allocation, or result completion.
  • Dynamic timetabling that adjusts for no-shows or rescheduling.
  • Dashboard overviews for competition status, judge activity, and scoring progress.

For one multi-day contest with live segments, automation led to a 60% decrease in scheduling conflicts and missed assessments. Staff time was redirected towards mentoring and engagement instead of data handling.

5. New Opportunities for Feedback and Improvement

Another advantage is the ability to track performance over time. Many systems stored individual scorecards across contests, allowing participants and teachers to reflect on areas needing improvement. Judges could also analyse their scoring patterns and biases.

Feedback can be categorised and visualised using charts, tables, or annotated recordings, which are invaluable for training and motivation. One competition introduced a “learning loop” that identified common Tajweed mistakes and developed targeted workshops as a follow-up programme.

6. Privacy and Ethical Considerations Must Be Prioritised

As with all data-driven technologies, Quran competition platforms must handle participant data responsibly. Lessons from multiple events show the need for:

  • Consent mechanisms during registration, particularly for minors.
  • Data anonymisation in public leaderboards or statistical analysis.
  • Clear data retention policies and administrator access control.

Competitions that integrated clear terms of use, encryption measures, and privacy features saw higher trust among parents and institutions compared to ad hoc implementations.

Solutions That Worked Well

While no single platform fits all contests, certain features proved effective across multiple formats:

  • Segmented User Access – Different dashboards for organisers, judges, and participants reduce clutter and complexity.
  • Mobile Responsiveness – Participants in low-resource settings could register and submit easily from phones.
  • Offline Mode – Especially useful for areas with intermittent internet, enabling uploads once connectivity returns.
  • Live Leaderboards – Sharing results in real-time increased participant engagement and parental interest.

Incorporating multilingual instructions and UI localisation also helped engage participants from various linguistic backgrounds.

Challenges and How They Were Addressed

Technical Challenges

Internet connectivity, device limitations, and browser compatibility were common hurdles. Solutions implemented included:

  • Providing tutorial videos and tech FAQs in advance.
  • Having support desks available during live stages.
  • Allowing re-uploads or resubmissions in case of technical faults.

User Adoption Challenges

Younger participants and elderly judges sometimes found digital platforms intimidating. Effective solutions involved:

  • Simple, uncluttered interfaces with clear instructions.
  • Optional training sessions or onboarding videos.
  • Printed instructions for those attending hybrid events.

Recommendations for Future Quran Contests

Drawing from collected observations, the following are recommended for organisers looking to digitise their Quran competitions:

  • Start small – Pilot a single category or stage before full rollout.
  • Gather feedback – Use surveys for participants, judges, and parents to improve usability.
  • Invest in training – Help familiarise users with navigation and expectations.
  • Integrate with community plans – Use contest data to inform halaqa development or school efforts.
  • Review your privacy practices – Stay compliant with relevant laws and ethical standards.

With thoughtful implementation and a balanced approach, digital Quran competitions can retain spiritual value while improving administrative, logistical, and evaluation processes. Most importantly, digitisation can make
Quran learning and appreciation even more inclusive, reflective, and impactful across diverse communities.

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

Related Posts