Announcing the Champions: International Quran Competition Winners Revealed!

The 41st edition of Iran’s International Quran Competition recently concluded with an inspiring closing ceremony held in Mashhad, Khorasan Razavi province. This prestigious event, which highlights the significance of the Quran in the lives of Muslims, was attended by notable figures, including Seyyed Abbas Salehi, the Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance, alongside various cultural and provincial officials, according to ISNA.

The competition showcased remarkable talents in different categories, celebrating the dedication and hard work of participants from various countries. Here are some of the major winners from the event:

Winners of the Women’s Competitions

• Memorizing Competition:
  • First Prize: Fatemeh Daliri (Iran)
  • Second Prize: Motahhareh Nabi-Bahr (Bangladesh)
  • Third Prize: Afnan Rashad Ali Yaqub (Yemen)
• Tarteel Competition:
  • First Prize: Ghazaleh Soheilizadeh (Iran)
  • Second Prize: Aisha Muhammad Ibn Muttalib (Nigeria)
  • Third Prize: Hawraa Haidar Hamzi (Lebanon)

Winners of the Men’s Competitions

• Tarteel Competition:
  • First Prize: Mojtaba Qadbeigi (Iran)
  • Second Prize: Haidar Ali Ibn Muhammad Al-Mousawi (Iraq)
  • Third Prize: Qassem Muhammad Hamdan (Lebanon)
• Recitation Section:
  • First Place: Seyyed Mohammad Hosseinipour (Iran)
  • Second Place: Muhammad Hossein Muhammad (Egypt)
  • Third Place: Ahmad Razak Al-Dulfain (Iraq)
• Memorizing Competition:
  • First Prize: Mohammad Khakpour (Iran)
  • Second Prize: Murtaza Hossein Ali Akash (Libya)
  • Third Prize: Ahmed Muhammad Saleh Ibrahim Issa (Egypt)

During the ceremony, the judging panel of the 41st International Quran Competition delivered a poignant statement. They emphasized the Quran as the ultimate guide for Muslims in navigating today’s challenges. The panel highlighted the numerous verses in the Holy Quran that resonate deeply with believers and serve as a source of inspiration for freedom-seekers around the globe.

The statement also addressed urgent issues faced by oppressed communities, specifically in Gaza and Lebanon, as well as the resilience of Muslims in Yemen and Iraq. It recalled the revolutionary spirit of the Iranian populace during the 1979 revolution, illustrating the Quran’s teachings and the guidance provided by the family of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). These instances reflect the Quran’s enduring power to overcome efforts aimed at erasing faith and fostering Islamophobia.

The panel acknowledged a significant opportunity for the Islamic ummah to harness the light of the Quran, empowering communities that have suffered under the influence of global superpowers. They expressed heartfelt congratulations for the thoughtful decision to host this year’s competition in the spiritual heart of Iran, near the esteemed shrine of Imam Reza (AS).

Comprising distinguished scholars from eight different countries renowned for their expertise in Quranic studies, the judging panel expressed gratitude for the opportunity to conduct fair and just evaluations. They offered prayers for the success and prosperity of Muslims worldwide, reinforcing the importance of unity in faith.

In conclusion, the statement encouraged a renewed commitment to the Quran’s unifying teachings, urging the Islamic ummah to come together in faith and propagate the divine message, ensuring the Quran’s cultural significance remains strong across the globe.

Photo: Ghazaleh Soheilizadeh from Iran, the winner of the first prize in the women’s tarteel competition, holds her award during the closing ceremony of the 41st International Quran Competition in Mashhad on January 31, 2025.