Bangladeshi Contestant Highlights Rigor of Iran’s Int’l Quran Competition
Speaking to IQNA on the sidelines of the 41st edition of the competition in Mashhad, Gifari noted that unlike other contests where participants are given significant time to prepare, in Iran, they receive their assigned recitation passage only 10 minutes before taking the stage.
“Iran’s competitions enjoy a very good quality and are harder compared to similar events elsewhere,” he said. “In Kuwait, for instance, contestants are informed of this some 24 hours prior to their turn, which allows them to practice on different aspects of their recitation.”
This is Gifari’s second international competition, following his participation in a Quran recitation event in Kuwait.
He expressed his appreciation for the organizers, saying, “I’m thankful to the organizers of the competition.”
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Gifari, who follows the recitation styles of renowned Egyptian qaris such as Sheikh Raghib Mustafa Ghalwash, Sheikh Shahat Muhammad Anwar, and Sheikh Ahmad Bin Yousef al-Azhari, also spoke about his personal connection to the Quran. He lost his mother at the age of four, and it was her wish for him to dedicate his life to the holy book.
The Bangladeshi contestant also shared his admiration for Mashhad and its climate, saying, “Iran is a very beautiful country with nice weather.”
He added that the cold weather in Mashhad during this time of the year posed no issue for him. Expressing reverence for the city’s religious significance, he said, “I respect Imam Reza (AS).”
During the interview, Gifari named verses 22-24 of Surah al-Hashr as his favorite Quranic passage before reciting them.
Gifari made it to the final of the contest but failed to achieve top ranks. His recitation in the final stage can be watched from here.
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The 41st edition of Iran’s International Quran Competitions, which concluded on Friday, brought together 57 male and female qaris from 27 countries to the northeastern Iranian city. The event, one of the oldest Quranic competitions in the Muslim world, featured competitions in recitation and memorization of the Quran.
Interview by Mohammad Ali Haqshenas
