Interpretation, Concepts Categories Should Be Included in Int’l Quran Contests
Sayyed Qassem Al-Halv, head of the Quran Reciters and Memorizers Society of Najaf, Iraq, made the remark in an interview with IQNA, adding that each of these categories alone have the potential for being the subject of a Quran competition.
He said that much attention is paid to Quran recitation and memorization while categories like Quranic concepts and interpretation are usually overlooked in Quran competitions.
Al-Halv underlined, though, that Quran memorization and recitation are very important and necessary as well.
He said a Quran memorizer needs to be familiar with the meaning of the Quranic words and the concepts of the Holy Book, adding that contestants in this category should be assessed in terms of mastery over Quranic concepts and meaning of the words.
He noted that the Quran recitation category also receives due attention in Quranic competitions around the Muslim world.
“Quran interpretation, however, has been overlooked in many Quranic contests whereas it is a very important category.”
Head of the Quran Reciters and Memorizers Society of Najaf said there are different ways to hold the competition in Quran interpretation category, for instance, by inviting Quran interpreters or those who have independent views in this field.
He said in the Quranic concepts category, one way to test the mastery of the participants is to mention different Quranic concepts and ask the contender to recite verses containing those concepts.
Al-Halv further stressed the important role of international Quran competitions in promoting the Quranic culture.
He said such Quranic events also help to elevate Quranic talents and form links among Quran activists from different countries.
As for selection of contestants, he said the best way is holding Quran competitions at the local, city, provincial and finally national levels in order for representatives of a country to b selected for an international Quranic event.
Director of the Quran and Nahj-ul-Balaqa Sciences Institute in Najaf criticized the idea that the larger the number of participants, the higher the quality of a Quran competition.
Sometimes, based on this idea, the organizers of an international Quran competition invite individuals from different countries without ensuring their qualifications and that lowers the quality of the contest, he added.
Asked about the need for formation of a specialized committee to choose jury members for international Quran competition,, Al-Halv hailed the idea but noted that the committee should not be responsible for selecting the contenders.
As for programs on the sidelines of Quran competitions, he said there can be Quran exhibitions, forums, and visits for the participants.
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