TEHRAN -- Iran’s Awqaf and Charity Affairs Organization has announced two contenders to represent the nation at the 44th King Abdulaziz International Competition for the memorization, recitation, and interpretation of the Qur’an.
Muhammad Hussein Behzadfar and Muhammad Mahdi Rezaei will participate in the full Qur’an memorization and 15 Juzes categories, respectively.
The announcement coincides with the recent restoration of diplomatic ties between Iran and Saudi Arabia, marking a significant moment for both na tions.
Scheduled for early August in Mecca, the competition is renowned for drawing participants worldwide and boasts a prize pool of SR4 million ($1.07 million).
It encompasses five categories, each focusing on different aspects of Qur’anic memorization and recitation, adhering to traditional recitation rules.
Prizes for the primary category include sums of SR500,000, SR450,000, and SR400,000 for the top three placements. The event will conclude with a ceremony at the Grand Mosque in Mecca.