Are you a writer?
Introducing Our Annual Writing Competition, Qalam
We’re looking for the next generation of Muslim thinkers, professionals and leaders.
About
What is Qalam?
Young Muslims have ideas worth sharing.
Qalam exists to provide a platform for thoughtful young Muslims to write, reflect and engage with the challenges facing our communities today.
At Ihya, we believe the revival of our Ummah begins with knowledge, critical thinking and confident Muslim voices.
Timeline
When's the competition?
20th July 2026
Entries Open
Submissions welcome via written articles, video format or by scheduling a call with a member of our team through email.
13th September
Entries Closed
Entries after this date will not be considered.
Late Autumn
Winners Announced
Categories
What are the Categories?
You can submit a piece of writing into each of our categories. Pick one of the three essay questions to base your piece on, and show us your abilities as a great Muslim writer.
The Abu Yusuf Prize
Islamic Finance
A leading scholar and student of Imam Abu Hanifah whose writings on taxation, economics and public finance remain foundational in Islamic governance.
The Al-Khwarizmi Prize
STEM & Technology
One of history’s greatest mathematicians and the father of algebra, whose work laid the foundations for modern computing.
The Ibn Khaldun Prize
Policy
A pioneering Muslim historian, sociologist and political thinker whose work on civilisation, governance and society continues to influence scholars today.
The Ibn al-Nafis Prize
Medicine
The Muslim physician who first described pulmonary circulation centuries before it was recognised in Europe, symbolising excellence in science and service.
The Imam al-Ghazali Prize
Islamic Sciences
One of Islam’s greatest scholars whose work revived the relationship between knowledge, spirituality and action. The author of Ihya Ulum Ad Din, his magnum opus that inspired our name as an organisation Alhamdulillah.
Our Partners
We've teamed up with:
Our partner organisations are experienced with our writing categories, and will join us at the Ihya Conference this Autumn to judge submissions and take part in talks.
FOSIS
Federation of Student Islamic Societies: Striving to develop, serve & advocate for over 350,000 Muslim students in the UK and Eire since 1963
Islamic Finance Guru
An educational hub and investment platform that helps Muslims navigate personal finance, entrepreneurship, and Sharia-compliant investing.
Roots Academy
An educational organization primarily known as a pioneering Islamic learning platform that provides transformative, 21st-century faith education for young Muslims, students and professionals.
Ihsaan Medics
Ihsaan Medics is a student-led organisation dedicated to supporting Muslim medical students and junior doctors in achieving excellence — not just clinically, but ethically, spiritually, and professionally.
CAGE International
CAGE is an independent advocacy organisation that aspires to a just world. They aim to empower communities impacted by the war on terror.
The Policy Minaret
Islamic governance x modern policy. Developing and sharing frameworks for ethical decision making and strategic thought in policy and leadership.
AMSSEM
A dynamic and upcoming student led organisation focused on empowering young Muslim academics, based in the United States.
FAQ
Read the information below before starting!
What are we writing?
We have different prizes based on different academic fields. Look through the categories above, and choose an essay question of interest to you. Participants may enter work into multiple different categories.
Who can enter?
We invite any Muslims aged 14-30 from anywhere in the world to enter our competition!
What do you get for winning?
Successful entrants may receive:
- A Qalam Award Certificate
- Publication in Edition 6 of Ihya Publications
- An Invitation to present at the Ihya Conference.
Additional prizes to be announced soon Insha'Allah.
The Judging Process
All submissions will undergo an initial review by the Ihya Editorial Team before being shortlisted.
Shortlisted entries will then be reviewed by specialists and partner organisations within each category.
Entries will be judged on:
- Originality of thought
- Quality of argument
- Depth of research
- Structure and clarity
- Relevance to the question
- Islamic values and ethical reasoning where appropriate
- Practical solutions and impact
The judging panel’s decision is final.
When is the deadline?
Please submit your entry by the 13th September 2026.
Late submissions cannot be guaranteed consideration.
Essay Requirements
For your essay to be considered, please follow these guidelines:
- Essays must answer one of the questions within the chosen category.
- Word Count: 1,000–2,000 words
- Write in clear, engaging English.
- Use appropriate references where necessary.
- Submissions should be submitted as a PDF or Microsoft Word document.
- Entries must be the original work of the author.
- The use of AI tools to generate essays is not permitted.
- Entries must not have been previously published.
- Participants may submit entries to multiple categories
Entries Open Now!
Before you enter, read how we handle your entry in our Qalam Prize privacy notice — it covers who reads your essay, how long we keep it, and how to withdraw.
Get in touch
Contact us via our email admin@ihyapublications.org or through our socials @ihyapublications (Or use the form below)