An Effective Quran Recitation Is One that Spiritually Benefits Qari
Mohammad Reza Zeynali, who is from the central province of Isfahan, made the remark in an interview with IQNA.
He recently came second in the ‘Zayen al-Aswat’ Quran competition.
The first edition of the contest was held in the holy city of Qom on October 1-2, 2025.
The competition, held under the slogan “Quran, the Book of the Faithful,” was organized by the Al al-Bayt Institute’s Quranic Affairs Center with support from cultural and Quranic organizations. All recitations were recorded and will be published through the institute’s media platforms.
Speaking to IQNA, Zeynali said considering that this was the first edition of this competition, the level of the event was very high.
“Personally, I expected the level of the competition to be good, but I didn't think it would be this high. It was really good and the competition was very close and intense. The level of quality was such that it can be said with confidence that it is probably higher than many other competitions other than the National Holy Quran Competition. It is a positive and very valuable point that the Quranic event was able to bring together talented and motivated Quran activists from all over the country.”
He added that, of course, it is natural that there will be some implementation shortcomings in the first edition of an event. “For example, if the facilities and amenities for participants, such as rest areas, are a little better and stronger, we will definitely witness a more magnificent event in subsequent editions. The city of Qom is a good host and the timing was appropriate, but these logistical weaknesses will hopefully be corrected for future years.”
The young qari said the idea of holding such events for teenagers and young people is a very big and positive step. “The competition provided a great motivation for young reciters with significant prizes for the winners.
“(However) to truly promote Quranic programs among the younger generation, we must think beyond a seasonal competition. If various Quranic and cultural organizations and groups join hands and organize such gatherings and competitions in a more colorful, glamorous, and noisy way, their appeal and impact will certainly increase manifold… We need to bring the Quran into their lives using creative and up-to-date methods. There are many places where we can work and make these events much better, stronger, and more exciting than this.”
As for the distinguishing features of Zayen al-Aswat, he said this competition had several special advantages. “First, the high academic level of the judges, who were distinguished international professors from the country, and second, the special focus on the youth and teenagers as the future builders of the country’s Quranic community. This view was also stressed in the statement of the jury, which emphasized the training of missionaries and the promotion of Quranic education in schools.”
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Eslehwere in his remarks, Zeynali referred to the secret to a reciter’s success is, saying first of all, divine blessings, and then making efforts and benefiting from expert teachers are important.
“An effective recitation is one that the reciter himself spiritually benefits from and one in which he recites with humility and reverence. The most important characteristic of a reciter is observing Quranic ethics and practicing the teachings of the Quran.”
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