Hojat-ol-Islam Hamidreza Arbab-Soleimani, Deputy Minister and Head of the Supreme Center for Quran and Etrat at the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance, emphasized that incorporating fresh ideas and the specialized expertise of the Quranic community is essential for elevating the quality of this annual Quranic event.

Addressing a question regarding the extent to which the goals of the previous edition of the exhibition were achieved, he noted that the exhibition typically reaches its peak attendance and vibrancy about a week after opening, with many of its planned objectives becoming apparent in the days that follow.

However, he explained that during the last edition, unforeseen circumstances—specifically the launch of the US-Israeli aggression on the country—prevented this progression from unfolding as intended.

Referring to the tragic events within the country and the wartime conditions that emerged, he added that following the martyrdom of the Leader of the Revolution, Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei, on February 28, 2026, and other tragic incidents—such as the martyrdom of school students in Minab—the situation evolved in such a way that the exhibition could not continue its course.

“The second week of the exhibition, which should have showcased the fruits of the expert and operational efforts of our colleagues, had to be shut down due to the wartime conditions.”

Referring to the preparations made to bolster international presence at the previous exhibition, Arbab-Soleimani stated, “We had invited guests from various countries—some of whom had only just arrived in Iran—but due to the unfolding events, it was not possible to make proper use of their presence at the exhibition.”

He added, “We hosted these guests for a few days, but the circumstances were such that we could not leverage their presence for the exhibition. Furthermore, given the flight restrictions, they were compelled to return to their home countries by land, crossing the national borders.”

The Head of the Supreme Center for Quran and Etrat at the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance noted that, consequently, some of the programs planned for the foreign guests—aimed at strengthening international engagement—could not be realized, and we were unable to benefit from their presence to the extent we had anticipated.

Expressing optimism for a successful upcoming edition of the International Holy Quran Exhibition, Arbab-Soleimani said, “We hope to organize an exhibition this year that is both dignified and befitting the stature of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Achieving such a standard requires drawing upon the insights and capabilities of the country’s experts, thinkers, and Quran activists.”

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Emphasizing the necessity of the Quranic community’s involvement in the planning and execution phases, he added, “We invite all experts and active figures in this field to share their innovative ideas and proposals with the organizing committee, so that we may incorporate these perspectives into the design of the exhibition’s programs.”

In conclusion, the official said that beyond the planning phase, “we also welcome the involvement of individuals capable of collaborating during the implementation stage. We believe that organizing an exhibition befitting the nation’s Quranic community requires the collective input, support, and participation of all organizations and active contributors in this field.”

The Tehran International Holy Quran Exhibition is annually held during the holy month of Ramadan by the Iranian Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance.

With various programs including specialized sessions, educational workshops, Quranic gatherings, and activities tailored for children and teenagers, the international event aims to promote Quranic concepts and activities.

The exhibition also serves as a platform to showcase the latest Quranic achievements in Iran and a variety of products dedicated to the promotion of the Holy Book.

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