Iraqi Qari Wins Al-Kawthar Phone-In Quran Contest
The tenth edition of the Quranic event began on the first day of the holy month of Ramadan.
Some 120 contenders from different countries, including Syria, Egypt, Iraq, Iran, Lebanon, and Afghanistan, took part in the contest to showcase their talents and skills in recitation of the Holy Quran,
Last week, the top 24 participants in the preliminary stage, began competing in the semi-finals.
The final stage was held Saturday night, on the eve of the last night of Ramadan, with the five best Qaris reciting verses 148 to 153 of Surah al-Baqara.
At the end of the contest, the panel of judges, comprising senior Quran experts from Egypt, Iran, Iraq, and Syria announced Laith al-Ubaidi from Iraq as the top winner with 85.5 points out of 100.
Seyed Hamid Reza Moqaddasi from Iran also scored 85.5 and was named the runner-up because of his lower Tajweed score.
The third-rank winer was Muhammad Alaeddin Sabaei from Egypt who scored 84.25.
Owais Ahmad from Afghanistan and Yusuf al-Haj Hassan from Lebanon came fourth and fifth respectively.
The five finalists won cash prizes of 1000 to 5000 dollars according to their rank.
The phone-in Quran competition titled "Inna lil-Muttaqina Mafaza” (Indeed, for the righteous is attainment- Holy Quran, 78:31) is annually held in Ramadan by Al-Kawthar TV.
It is sponsored by Iran’s Awqaf and Charity Affairs Organization.
The participants call the program and recite verses from the Quran specified by the panel of judges.
