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The Quran memorization institutes of Al-Azhar are not one body but several bodies supervised by Al-Azhar in Egypt. The best known are the Azhar Riwaq, run by the Al-Azhar Mosque; the private Quran schools (maktabs) operating under Al-Azhar’s supervision; and the qira’at institutes of Al-Azhar’s institutes sector. This guide explains the difference between them, who each one suits, and the admission conditions as published by official and press sources.
Note: Al-Azhar Message Academy is a private online academy. It is not one of these bodies and is not affiliated with the Al-Azhar institution; its male and female teachers are Al-Azhar graduates. We wrote this guide to help you understand the available options accurately.
Quick comparison of Al-Azhar’s memorization bodies
| Body | Who it suits | Main conditions | What it offers |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Azhar Riwaq | All ages | No academic qualification required; a placement test | Quran memorization and tajweed, with Islamic and Arabic studies, at in-person branches |
| Private Quran schools under Al-Azhar supervision | Children and young people | Opened under rules set by Al-Azhar, including a test for the teacher | Memorization circles close to home |
| Qira’at institutes | Those who have memorized the whole Quran | Memorizing the whole Quran and passing an admission test | Study of tajweed and the ten minor and major qira’at, with Azhar certificates |
1. The Azhar Riwaq
The Azhar Riwaq is an educational body supervised by the Al-Azhar Mosque that teaches Quran memorization, tajweed and the rules of recitation, alongside Islamic and Arabic studies. It accepts all ages without requiring an academic qualification. In November 2025, 70 new branches were announced in several new cities.
- Riwaq of the Quran: for memorization and recitation; study is in person at the branches, and a 2024 announcement stated that it is completely free.
- Riwaq of tajweed and qira’at: for those who have completed memorization and want to master the rules and the qira’at; it requires passing an admission test in the whole Quran, plus a tajweed test for those applying for qira’at.
- Registration: online through links announced on the Al-Azhar portal, followed by a placement test; places are limited.
2. Private Quran schools under Al-Azhar supervision
These are private Quran schools (kuttābs) operating under the supervision of the Quran affairs department of Al-Azhar’s institutes sector. Among the rules for opening one announced by Al-Azhar in January 2026: the teacher must pass a memorization and recitation test with at least 80%, and the school must have at least 15 students aged from 5 to under 18 who are not enrolled in Azhar institutes, with suitable premises subject to inspection.
These schools suit children who want a circle close to home, and their students can take part in the Sheikh of Al-Azhar Quran competition.
3. The Azhar qira’at institutes
The qira’at institutes belong to Al-Azhar’s institutes sector and are for those who have completed memorization and want to specialise in tajweed and the qira’at. According to a 2021 statement by the head of the institutes sector, there were 120 institutes: 61 for boys and 59 for girls. Study takes place in three stages:
| Stage | Duration | Main subjects | Certificate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tajweed | 2 years | The narration of Hafs; memorizing Tuḥfat al-Aṭfāl and al-Jazariyyah | Tajweed certificate |
| ‘Āliyah (higher) | 3 years | The ten minor qira’at; memorizing ash-Shāṭibiyyah and ad-Durrah | Higher qira’at certificate |
| Specialisation | 3 years | The ten major qira’at from Ṭayyibat an-Nashr | Specialisation certificate in qira’at |
Graduates can join the Faculty of the Holy Quran for Qira’at and its Sciences in Tanta. Published admission conditions include memorizing the whole Quran and passing written and oral admission tests. In the Kafr El-Sheikh Azhar region’s announcement for 2026–2027, the age required for the tajweed stage was 9 to 22, and for the ‘āliyah stage 14 to 27, with a minimum of 70% in both tests. Dates and details vary from region to region.
The Sheikh of Al-Azhar Quran competition
Students of Azhar institutes, of the private Quran schools supervised by Al-Azhar and of the Azhar riwaqs take part. It has four levels: the whole Quran with tajweed and good performance; the whole Quran; 20 juz’ from Surat at-Tawbah to the end of the Mushaf; and 10 juz’ from Surat al-‘Ankabūt to the end. Registration is online through the Al-Azhar portal.
How to choose the right body
- You want your child to start memorizing near home: a private Quran school under Al-Azhar supervision, or a Riwaq branch.
- You are an adult and want free, in-person memorization: the Riwaq of the Quran.
- You have completed memorization and want to specialise with an Azhar certificate: the qira’at institutes.
- You live outside Egypt or cannot attend in person: these bodies are mostly in person; the alternative is an online academy with Al-Azhar graduate teachers.
If you cannot attend: studying online
Many people looking for Al-Azhar institutes live outside Egypt or cannot attend because of work or study. At Al-Azhar Message Academy you memorize in one-to-one lessons on Zoom or Google Meet with male and female Al-Azhar graduates who hold an ijazah with a connected sanad; women study with female teachers only. The academy is private and not affiliated with Al-Azhar, and it does not award Azhar certificates, but you can reach an ijazah with a connected sanad after the sanad exam. Read also Quran ijazah from Al-Azhar: certificate vs ijazah.
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Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is the Azhar Riwaq free?
A 2024 Al-Azhar announcement stated that the Riwaq of the Quran is completely free; it is best to check the current announcement on the Al-Azhar portal.
Do you have to have memorized the whole Quran to join the qira’at institutes?
Yes, memorizing the whole Quran and passing the admission test are among the main published conditions.
How many years does study at the qira’at institutes take?
Three stages: tajweed 2 years, ‘āliyah 3 years and specialisation 3 years.
Is Al-Azhar Message Academy part of Al-Azhar?
No. It is a private online academy, not affiliated with the Al-Azhar institution; its male and female teachers are Al-Azhar graduates who hold an ijazah with a connected sanad.
Sources (in Arabic)
- Al-Ahram Gate: application links and conditions for the Riwaq of Quran, tajweed and qira’at (2024)
- Al-Ahram Gate: 70 new branches of the Azhar Riwaq (November 2025)
- Sada El Balad: Al-Azhar qira’at institutes – how study works and how to apply
- Sada El Balad: number of qira’at institutes in Egypt and their students (2021)
- El Watan: applications open for qira’at institutes, 2026–2027
- El Watan: rules for opening private Quran schools under Al-Azhar supervision (January 2026)
Dates and conditions can change from year to year, so always check the official announcement on the Al-Azhar portal or with the institute before applying.
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