Iranian Quranic Program Mahfel Gains Widespread Int’l Viewership, Host Says
“The widespread impact of the Mahfel TV Show is now evident on an international level,” Ahmad Abolqassemi, who is also an internationally recognized Iranian qari, told IQNA in an interview.
“Today, there are few in Islamic countries, and even in some non-Islamic ones, who have not heard of this program. The effects and feedback are so clear and tangible that they require little explanation, as this influence is clearly seen during foreign trips (by the programs’ hosts) and interactions with Quranic communities,” he added.
Known for showcasing Quranic recitations and promoting Islamic teachings, the Mahfel TV Show is a well-regarded Iranian television series appreciated by audiences worldwide.
It is broadcast on IRIB’s TV 3 channel just before sunset every day during the holy month of Ramadan, offering a spiritual oasis for viewers as they prepare to break their fast.
With a primary focus on the Quran, the program aims to enrich the brief moments of respite for fasting individuals through insightful discussions and captivating recitations.
Abolqassemi emphasized the program’s reach in specific regions. “In many African countries, including Tanzania which has a Quranic history, the religious community knows Mahfel well. This is not limited to Africa. In populous Islamic countries like Pakistan and Bangladesh, the program also has a vast audience.”
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He provided a broad estimate of its viewership. “Perhaps we can say with confidence that 80 to 90 percent of Islamic countries have seen Mahfel,” he stated. “In terms of total population, the viewership statistics for this program outside Iran are no less than inside the country.”
Abolqasemi shared anecdotes to illustrate the program’s penetration. “In Afghanistan, even airport officials recognized us and allowed us to enter without requesting any forms or official procedures. This was very interesting for us,” he recounted. “At the airport in Kenya, a non-Islamic country, the person responsible for handing over passengers’ bags saw us, shouted with great excitement, and remembered Mahfel. Such examples clearly show the global status of this program and indicate that its influence has transcended the borders of the Islamic world.”
He attributed the program’s success to two main factors: the talent of Iranian reciters and a strategic digital media campaign. “Mahfel has become a major Quranic media outlet today,” Abolqassemi said. “The reason for this success must be sought in two factors. First, the appeal of Quranic activities and the unparalleled talent of Iranian reciters and memorizers, which are exemplary on a global level. Second, the significant effort of the program’s media team, who did special work in the digital space this year. Mahfel was translated into five languages and published on international media and social networks, including YouTube. This allowed many people around the world who did not have direct access to Iranian television to follow it online.”
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Based on this strategy, he provided a specific viewership figure. “If we want to provide an accurate and reliable statistic, we can easily say that more than 100 million people outside Iran have watched Mahfel,” Abolqassemi went on to say. “This figure represents a rare achievement for a Quranic media program.”
The host also argued that the program is changing international perceptions of Iran. “In the past, there were some rumors in the Islamic world that the people of Iran were not very familiar with the Quran. Sometimes they even introduced us as a nation distant from the Quran. But today, with the holding of such programs, all these perceptions have changed,” he said.
“Wherever an Iranian reciter or memorizer has appeared and performed a recitation, the audience has concluded that such a country cannot be non-Quranic,” Abolqassemi continued. “Training this number of Quranic talents is not possible with mere slogans and propaganda. It is the result of years of effort, education, and the people’s real attention to the Holy Quran.”
He further framed the program’s success as a tool of Quranic diplomacy, saying, “Today in the Islamic world, the Quran can answer many needs. The trust that other nations have found in Iranians is the result of such Quranic programs. This trust has increased more than ever in recent years, and cultural exchanges will continue with greater strength.”
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Abolqassemi described Mahfel as a major success for the Islamic Republic of Iran. “This is just the beginning of the path, and we must await its broader fruits and effects,” he said. “These human resources will be the greatest achievement of Mahfel. With their presence, God willing, a bright future awaits Iran’s Quranic community.”
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