23 Countries Participating in Karbala Int’l Quran Contest

IQNA – The third edition of an international Quran competition in Karbala, Iraq, was launched in the holy city on Saturday.

Representatives of Quranic centers of holy shrines, holy sites and mosques from 23 countries have traveled to Karbala to take part in the Quranic event.

It has been organized by the Dar-ol-Quran al-Karim affiliated to the Astan (custodianship) of the Imam Hussein (AS) holy shrine under the support of Sheikh Abdul Mahdi al-Karbalaei, the custodian of the holy mausoleum.   

According to Karrar al-Shamari, head of the Astan’s media office, a number of seminary and university scholars and representatives of Iraqi and foreign Quranic centers and institutes attended the opening ceremony yesterday.

He said 61 Quran reciters and memorizers are competing in the international event.  

He noted that 15 Quran experts with the experience of judgment in international Quran contests make up the panel of arbiters.

Winners of the top five ranks in each category (memorization and recitation) will receive cash awards ranging from 500,000 to 3 million Iraqi dinars, according to the organizing committee.

Quranic activities have significantly developed in Iraq since the 2003 overthrow of former dictator Saddam Hussein.

There has been a growing trend of Quranic programs such as competitions, recitation sessions and educational programs held in the Arab country in recent years.

4224140