Iran’s 39th Int’l Quran Contest Finals Slated for February 18

TEHRAN (IQNA) – The final round of Iran’s 39th International Holy Quran Competition will kick off here in the capital Tehran on February 18, 2023, an official said.

Hamid Majidimehr, head of the Quran and Etrat Deputy of the Awqaf and Charity Affairs Organization, told IQNA that 80 countries have introduced their representatives to the competition.

He said the number of participating countries was 68 in the previous edition of the international event, adding that the rise in the number of countries shows Iran’s efforts in the field of Quran-based diplomacy.

The motto of this edition, like the previous ones, is “One Book, One Ummah”, a testimony to the significance that the Islamic Republic of Iran attaches to unity and fraternity among Muslim nations, he said.

According to the official, the preliminary stage, which will not be in person, is going to be held on January 13-14, with members of the panel of judges gathering in the northeastern holy city of Mashhad to watch and assess the recorded performances of the contenders and choose the ones who can qualify for the finals.

There will be 12 Quran experts serving in the panel of judges in the men’s section and 12 experts serving in the women’s section, he noted.

The recorded files have been received by the organizing committee thanks to cooperation from Iranian embassies and cultural centers in other countries as well as the Al-Mustafa International University and Quranic institutes, Majidimehr stated.

Those who make it to the final stage will start competing in the finals on February 13, concurrent with the Day of Maba’ath (marking the appointment of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) as the last messenger of God), he added.

Iran’s Awqaf and Charity Affairs Organization annually organizes the international Quran contest with the participation of Quran activists from various countries.

The 38th edition, was held in March 2022 virtually due to concerns about the coronavirus pandemic.

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