Noor Quranic Convoy to Tailor Recitations for Elderly Pilgrims During Hajj

IQNA – As the 2025 Hajj pilgrimage draws near, members of Iran’s Noor Quranic Convoy are preparing to adjust their performances to better engage an audience of older and less-educated pilgrims.

The convoy, part of Iran’s cultural and religious programming during Hajj, includes Quran reciters, a memorizer, and a Tawasheeh (religious chorus) group.

Speaking to IQNA, international qari Hamed Valizadeh, a member of the convoy, highlighted the importance of adapting Quranic recitations for the audience. “One of the main responsibilities of a qari during Hajj is selecting verses that resonate deeply with listeners,” he said.

“This year, based on what officials have told us, the Iranian pilgrims tend to be older and less familiar with complex Quranic content. So it’s better to choose verses they are already familiar with.”

Valizadeh drew on his past experiences to illustrate the point. “When I used to recite in schools, the students connected much more when I chose verses from their textbooks,” he explained. “I think the same principle applies during Hajj.”

The Noor Quranic Convoy is part of Iran’s broader efforts to enhance the religious experience of its pilgrims by organizing Quran-related programs during Hajj. Every year, millions of Muslims from around the world travel to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, for this annual pilgrimage, and Iran also sends a number of qaris and memorizers alongside its pilgrims.

This year, the team consists of 20 members, including 14 qaris, one Quran memorizer, and a five-member Tawasheeh group. The convoy is preparing to hold more than 220 Quranic events during the 2025 Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca and Medina.

Valizadeh also pointed to the need to voice solidarity with the people of Gaza and Palestine. “There’s no need to step outside the norms or disrupt the order that Saudi authorities expect. Qaris can select verses that reflect the plight of the oppressed and describe the consequences that await oppressors,” he noted.

“If we offer thoughtful commentary along with translations before and after the recitations, then the convoy will have fulfilled its mission in this regard,” Valizadeh added.

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