The 35th edition of International Holy Quran Competitions is under way with Quran memorizers and Qaris from 87 countries competing for the top prizes in the categories of memorization and recitation in the men’s section.
A total of 44 contenders, 19 Qaris and 25 memorizers, will take part in the final round of the 6th International Quran Competition for Muslim Students, an official said.
The closing ceremony was attended by a number of senior religious scholars and officials, including grand source of emulation Ayatollah Jafar Sobhani, director of Iran’s Islamic seminaries, Ayatollah Ali Reza Aarafi, and head of Iran’s Awqaf and Charity Affairs Organization, Hojat-ol-Islam Ali Mohammadi.
According to the panel of judges, Iran’s Mohammad Zahedi finished first in the category of Quran recitation and Quranic concepts.
Ali Hassan Abdul Aa’la from Iraq and Mohammad Reza Nouri from Afghanistan came second and third.
In the category of memorization of the entire Quran and Quranic concepts, Iran’s representative Mahmoud Norouzi was the top winner.
The runner-up was Ahmed Yasri Mohamed from Egypt and the third rank prize went to Mohamed Tijani from Ghana.
There was another category, namely Quranic oration, in which Syrian contender Hassan Muhammad Walid Barakat from Syria bagged the first prize.
Majed Washli from Yemen and Ahmad Qarabavi from Iran came second and third.
Nearly 370 foreign guests, including the contenders, Quran experts and members of the panels, have arrived in Iran for the Quranic events.
Ali Larijani, Iran's parliament speaker made the remarks while addressing closing ceremony of the 35th edition of Quarnic Competitions in Tehran.
He added that Qur’anic society does not rely on anything but Allah and does not fear of anybody.Referring to the approaching anniversary of US defeat in Tabas Desert, he said, “It was a great disgrace to the country and Mr. Carter.”
“We are proud of ourselves because we defend the oppressed and the wronged; this is a point stipulated in our national Constitution,” he said touching upon the crises in Yemen and Syria.
The event aims to award those who have made great efforts in reciting Quran with the most beautiful tune. And memorizing its content. It also serves to promote the divine teachings of the holy Quran in Muslim and non- Muslim countries.
The Iranian Academics’ Quranic Activities Organization, affiliated to the Iranian Academic Center for Education, Culture and Research (ACECR), has organized the competition biannually since 2006 with the aim of promoting unity and cooperation among Muslim world students and elevating the level of Quranic activities.
