Iran’s Imam Ali Dar-ol-Quran Center Wraps Up Quran Contest (+Photos)
The ceremony was held at the Sheikh Saduq Hall of the mausoleum of Hazrat Abdul Azim Hassani (AS) in Rey, South of Tehran, concurrent with celebrations marking the 44th anniversary of the victory of Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution.
After playing the Islamic Republic of Iran’s national anthem, and recitation of verses from the Quran by Yunes Shahmoradi, Director of the Imam Ali (AS) Dar-ol-Quran Center Mohammad Ansari take the podium, stressing the sublime status of the Holy Book.
He said the Quran is a guide for all humanity and that gaining salvation requires acting upon the teachings of this divine book.
He thanked God for the opportunity to organize the 16th edition of the competition, saying a total of 14,230 men and women from all over the country as well as other countries competed in separate sections in two age groups of 18 and younger and above 18.
The categories included Quran recitation, Tarteel, memorization and Quranic concepts, according to Ansari.
He said more than 570 contestants were from countries like Afghanistan, Iraq, Bahrain, Tajikistan, Nigeria, Bangladesh, Syria, Kenya and Ivory Coast.
He noted that 82 Quran experts in the men section and 59 Quran experts in the women section served in the panels of arbiters.
Ansari went on to say that one of the annual Quran competition’s aims is promoting the teachings of the Holy Quran among people in society, noting that the Holy Prophet (PBUH) said, “The best of you are those who learn the Quran and teach it to others”.
Abbas Salimi, an official with the Astan (custodianship) of the holy shrine of Hazrat Abdul Azim Hassani (AS), and Quran scholar and researcher Hojat-ol-Islam were among other speakers at the function.
At the end of the ceremony, winners of different categories in different sections and age groups were named and received their awards.
The Imam Ali (AS) Dar-ol-Quran Center annually organizes the contest to promote learning the Quran and identify Quranic talents.
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