The ICYF Youth Excellence Prize aims to recognize and celebrate outstanding contributions that inspire, empower, and elevate youth worldwide. The prize also aims to highlight the true image of Islam as a religion of mercy and peace.
These annual elite prizes are inspired by the geniuses of the Islamic World, who transcended their reigns and laid the groundwork for a unified and advanced Islamic civilization. The prizes will honor individuals and initiatives that have made exceptional contributions in priority areas linked to the moral character exemplified by the Mother of the Believers (Umm Al-Mu’minin) and the Rightly Guided Caliphs (Al-Khulafā’ al-Rāshidūn). The prize will showcase success stories led by youth for the benefit of humanity and for strengthening peace around the world.
The prizes will be presented across five distinct categories, each inspired by the exemplary lives of the Mother of the Believers (Umm Al-Mu’minin) and the Rightly Guided Caliphs (Al-Khulafā’al-Rāshidūn):
1. Family Prize
Named in honour of Umm Al-Mu’minin Khadijah bint Khuwaylid (RA)—the first believer in Islam, a pioneering entrepreneur, devoted wife, compassionate mother, and one of the greatest supporters of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)—this Prize recognizes the family as the foundation of strong societies and the first institution where values, character, compassion, and responsibility are nurtured across generations.
The Prize honours outstanding individuals dedicated to strengthening family bonds, promoting family well-being, supporting marriage and positive parenting, fostering intergenerational solidarity, and creating environments where future generations can thrive with dignity, resilience, and a deep sense of responsibility.
Inspired by the enduring legacy of Khadijah bint Khuwaylid (RA), the Prize affirms that strong families are the cornerstone of resilient communities, social cohesion, and a more peaceful and prosperous future. Open to nominees of all ages, this Prize recognizes that strengthening families is a lifelong contribution to society.
2. Leadership Prize
Inspired by the social justice and administrative excellence exemplified in the leadership of Umar ibn al-Khattab (RA), this category honors young public leaders and social innovators who empower Muslim communities through principled governance, inclusive social welfare, and ethical financial initiatives. It recognizes those who create meaningful impact for disadvantaged and conflict-affected groups, develop innovative solutions for social equity, and contribute to sustainable development at local, national, or regional levels.
3. Solidarity Prize
Inspired by the steadfast preservation of Islamic values exemplified in the leadership of Uthman ibn Affan (RA), this category celebrates artistic production, cultural contributions, and community-driven initiatives that promote solidarity, brotherhood, inclusivity, and meaningful bonds within Muslim communities. It recognizes the creative, philanthropic, and social contributions of youth and institutions that preserve and revitalize Islamic civilizational heritage, strengthen social cohesion, and foster unity and shared prosperity across the Muslim world.
4. Knowledge Prize
Inspired by the profound commitment to knowledge, wisdom, and intellectual integrity exemplified in the leadership of Ali ibn Abi Talib (RA), this category recognizes outstanding achievements of youth who generate impactful scientific and academic knowledge in the life sciences and social sciences. It is dedicated to individuals who advance Islamic intellectual and scholarly traditions through research, publishing, innovation, and broader academic contributions that serve humanity and strengthen the global knowledge ecosystem.
5. Excellence & Beauty Prize
This premier distinction represents the highest honor within the award system. It is conferred upon individuals whose lifelong commitment, moral courage, and principled leadership have generated transformative and lasting and consolidating impact across the Muslim world.
Inspired by the justice, resilience, and faith exemplified in the leadership of Abu Bakr Sıddıq (RA), this category recognizes individuals who assume moral responsibility beyond personal or institutional gain — acting from a profound sense of duty, conscience, and service to humanity. It honors extraordinary figures whose contributions have tangibly transformed societies, safeguarded human dignity, restored justice, and strengthened the collective resilience of Muslim world.
Eligible laureates are individuals who have demonstrated exceptional humanitarian leadership in times of crisis, including but not limited to conflict resolution, post-war recovery, social healing, mediation, refugee protection, poverty alleviation, environmental responsibility, disaster response, inequality reduction, access to justice, and the defense of vulnerable populations.
Particular distinction is given to those who have acted under pressure, risk, political constraint, or highly challenging conditions — choosing responsibility over silence, solidarity over division, and service over recognition.
The Premier Prize is reserved for figures whose impact has transcended borders and whose contributions have meaningfully advanced the moral, social, and civilizational strength of the Muslim world.
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Beyond recognition, the Annual Prize will be held as part of the World Youth Congress in Istanbul—one of the largest and most prestigious global platforms bringing together youth from around the world to share their perspectives, voice their priorities, connect across cultures, and shape a collective future.
Awarded for the efforts in “competing with one another in doing good” (Maidah, 48)
In each category, one awardee will be selected and granted a medal, diploma, and monetary prize of a minimum of 20,000 USD and up to 50,000 USD, in addition to the formal recognition conferred at the ceremony.
Envisioned as an elite prize, the program is expected to attract significant international attention and to evolve into a widely followed and prestigious event among youth, reinforcing shared values, aspirations, and a collective sense of Quranic purpose, “competing with one another in doing good.”
ABOUT THE PRIZE CEREMONY
The prize recipients will be announced in November on the occasion of the World Youth Congress organized by the Islamic Cooperation Youth Forum. Guided by the “Future Readiness” approach, the Congress aims to address the opportunities and challenges youth face in a rapidly transforming global order, strengthen young people’s vision for the future, and provide a dynamic platform to celebrate cultural diversity.
In this context, the Congress also aims to serve as a leading platform that brings youth together and fosters a future-oriented engagement with the international community.
