Shahmoradi recited first five verses of Surah Al-Fath in the final stage of the competition: 

He received a cash prize of three million Saudi riyals (around $800,000) for winning the top rank in the Quran recitation category.  

The other three finalists in this category were Abdul Aziz Faqih from the host country who finished runner-up and Moroccans Zakariya al-Zirak and Abdullah Al-Dughri who came third and fourth, respectively.

The second edition of the Otr Elkalam international Quran competition was held as an initiative of the General Entertainment Authority (GEA). It was launched on the first day of the holy month of Ramadan (March 23).

This year, the contest attracted 50,000 Muslim entrants from more than 100 countries, all vying for qualification.

The total prize money for the competition exceeded 12 million Saudi riyals ($3.2 million).

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