Maldivian Fathimath Shaya Zaheer has won fourth place at the King Abdulaziz International Quran Recitation Competition in Mecca.

Shaya placed fourth in the memorisation category and received a prize of 170,000 Saudi riyals (MVR 699,262).

Islamic Minister Dr Mohamed Shaheem, who attended the awards ceremony as a special guest, said in a social media post that the competition marked the first time girls had participated in its 46-year history. A girls' category had not previously been included in the competition, he said.

Shaheem said Shaya's achievement was an honour for the Maldives.

A total of 334 participants from 133 countries took part in the competition.

The winners were presented with their prizes at a ceremony held last night. Saudi Islamic Affairs Minister Sheikh Dr Abdul Latheef bin Abdulaziz Al Sheikh and Imam of the Grand Mosque Sheikh Dr Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais attended the ceremony.

Shaya memorized the Quran at the age of nine and has won medals at several international competitions. She previously placed second at an international Quran competition in Egypt in 2023.