TEHRAN -- The 28th International Quran Competition kicked off at Tehran’s Summit Conference Hall on Thursday, which coincided with Muslims’ great celebration of Be’that, the anniversary of the appointment of Muhammad (S) to prophethood.

Quran reciters from 52 countries including Georgia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Sri Lanka, Uganda, Lebanon, Tunisia, Austria, Saudi Arabia, Belgium, Thailand, Algeria, Sudan, Azerbaijan and Germany have travelled to Iran to participate in this event.
The opening ceremony began with a Quran recitation by Rahim Khaki from Iran. Iranian Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance delivered a speech and the ceremony went on with Quran recitations by foreign special guests of the competition.
The participates of the event will be visiting museums and other Iranian cultural attractions during their sojourn in Tehran as part of a program arranged by the organizers of the competition, which runs until July 4.
Photo: An Iranian troupe gives a performance during the opening ceremony of the 28th International Quran Competition at Tehran’s Summit Conference Hall on June 30, 2011. (Mehr/Mohammadreza Abbasi)