Representatives of 50 countries are attending the international event.
A number of senior officials, including Egyptian Minister of Awqaf Mohammed Mukhtar Goma were present at the opening function.
Addressing the ceremony, Abdul Fattah Qawsi, a member of Egypt’s Council of Scholars, said the competition is aimed at dispelling myths about Islam and counter terrorists’ distortion of the image of the religion and the Holy Book.
The international contest is annually organized by the North African country’s Awqaf Ministry.
The motto of this year’s event is “Arab Quds” in solidarity with the holy city.
It will run until Thursday, March 29.