Iran Excluded from Egypt’s Quran Contest Again
According to al-Shuruq website, Egypt’s Awqaf Ministry like last year has excluded the three countries from the competition.
The ministry said in a statement that it has invited 70 countries, 41 of which have expressed readiness to take part in the competition.
It added that the port city of Sharm el-Sheikh will host the Quranic event on April 10-14.
The statement also noted that Quran masters from 9 countries, including Kuwait, Senegal, the United Arab Emirates and Sudan will form the panel of judges.
Cairo’s refusal to invite the three Muslim countries to the annual Quran competition is obviously a politically-motivated move.
It is unfortunate that Egypt has made such a decision to politicize and, thus, tarnish an international Quranic program, which could otherwise serve as a venue for enhancing Islamic unity, something that the Muslim Ummah needs more than ever.
Iran, unlike Egypt, recognizes the important role of Quranic activities in promoting Muslim unity and that is why the Islamic Republic invites Egyptian Quran reciters and memorizers to all of its international Quranic events.
Moreover, senior Egyptian Quran masters have frequently visited Iran and attended Quran recitation sessions in different Iranian cities.
