Iran’s 44th Nat’l Quran Contest Wraps Up
The ceremony, held here in the Iranian capital, was attended by a number of Quranic, religious and cultural officials, including Culture Minister Mohammad Mehdi Esmaili, Head of the Awqaf and Charity Affairs Organization Hojat-ol-Islam Seyed Mehdi Khamoushi, and Gholam Reza Shahmiveh, who head the competition’s panel of Judges.
It began with recitation of verses from the Quran by the top winner in the recitation category Amir Hossein Rostami from the northern province of Golestan.
Then Hojat-ol-Islam Khamoushi briefed the attendees on the organization of the competition and noted that new categories focusing on the meanings and concepts of the Holy Book have been included in the contest in recent years.
Esmaeili, in his address, underscored the importance that the Culture Ministry attaches to Quranic fields and expressed hope that major steps will be taken in promoting the Quranic culture and Quranic lifestyle.
Later in the ceremony, winners of different categories in the men and women sections were announced and awarded.
According to the panel of judges, in the men section, Amir Hossein Rostami from Golestan and Masoud Nouri and Hamid Reza Nasiri from Tehran came first to third in recitation of the Quran.
In Tarteel, Mohammad Javad Javari from Tehran, Mohammad Hossein Haddadzadeh from Yazd and Mohammad Poursina from Isfahan were the top winners.
And in memorization of the entire Quran, Sina Tabakhi from East Azarbaijan bagged the top prize. Hossein Khani Bidgoli was the runner-up and the third title went to Ali Gholam Azad from Zanjan.
In the women section, the top winners in the main categories were Zahra Pourtahmasb from Mazandaran, Fahimeh Asgharzadeh from Kerman and Hajar Mehralizadeh from Isfahan.
Winners of the event will be named as Iran’s representatives in upcoming international Quran competitions across the world.
The national Quran contest is annually held by the Awqaf and Charity Affairs Organization with the participation of top Quran activists from across the country.
It is aimed at discovering Quranic talents and promoting Quranic activities in society.
