TEHRAN-The 40th edition of Iran’s International Quran Competition commenced on Thursday evening at Tehran's Islamic Summit Conference Hall.

Mehdi Khamushi, director of the State Endowment and Charity Affairs Organization, the main organizer of the Quran competition, Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance Mohammad-Mehdi Esmaeili, Minister of Education Reza Morad Sahraei, and Parliament Speaker Mohammad-Baqer Qalibaf graced the opening ceremony with their presence.

A total of 99 reciters and memorizers from 44 countries worldwide have gathered to participate in the prestigious event, which is scheduled to run until February 21.

Competitors from diverse nations like Malaysia, Egypt, Algeria, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Indonesia, Lebanon, India, the Netherlands, Germany, the United States, Tunisia, Russia, Ivory Coast, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Senegal, Syria, Iraq, Canada and several other countries are vying for top honors in various categories such as recitation, interpretation, tarteel, and Quran memorization. 

Running in parallel with the main competition is the 8th edition of the International Quran Competition for School Students, also set to conclude on February 21.

The event is being covered by approximately 40 television networks.

Under the theme "One Book, One Ummah, the Book of Resistance," this edition pays homage to the martyrs of the resistance movement, with special representatives from Palestine and Gaza in attendance.

In addition to the competitions, attendees can engage in a diverse range of activities including educational and cultural exhibitions, family counseling services tailored especially for children, and a dedicated children's room for mothers to enjoy the event with their young ones.

The International Quran Competition is organized annually a few weeks before Ramadan at Tehran’s Islamic Summit Conference Hall.

The Quran Channel of the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting records recitations every year to air during the fasting month.

SAB/