The Department of Recitations (Qira’at) is a department in the College of D'awa and Fundamentals of Religion at Umm Al-Qura University. It is also one of the earliest academic departments in the College; as it was established by virtue of the decision taken by the college's board in its fourth session held on Sha’aban 26, 1402H.  Studying in the Department started at the beginning of the second semester of 1402/1403H and was limited to only male students until 1420H. During the early years, the number of enrollees was very small; the batch reached more or less seven students. After that, the department saw high turnout, with the number of students in the late batches reached 35 students.

In the first semester of 1421H, the College approved the establishment of a branch for female students, which saw high turnout that reached 88 female students. The prerequisites of their admission included memorizing the complete Holy Quran and passing the interview.

The female branch of this Department is considered a source of pride and prestige for Umm Al-Qura University. At that time, it was the only department through which girls can learn Qira'at (Recitations) and their sciences. This specialty was not available for study in any other universities inside the Saudi Kingdom or even in the world universities.