Winners of Karbala Quran award announced

Winners of the first edition of a national Quran competition titled Karbala Quran Award were announced and awarded in a ceremony in the Iraqi holy city. 

Winners of the first edition of a national Quran competition titled Karbala Quran Award were announced and awarded in a ceremony in the Iraqi holy city. 

According to the website of Imam Hussein holy shrine, the ceremony, held Saturday, was attended by a number of Quranic figures and religious scholars.

Winners of the top titles in the three categories of the contest, namely recitation, memorization and Tafseer (interpretation) of the Quran were awarded at the function.

In an address, Sheikh Abdul Mahdi Karbalayi, the custodian of the holy shrine, underlined the need for promotion of the Quranic culture in the Arab country.

He also hailed the high level of the competition and called for more efforts to identify Iraq’s Quranic talents.

Winners of the first and second ranks in each category received pilgrimage packages to the holy cities of Makkah in Saudi Arabia and Mashhad in Iran respectively while the ones who come third in each category were given cash prizes.

Quranic activities have significantly developed in Iraq since the 2003 overthrow of former dictator Saddam Hussein.

There has been a growing trend of Quranic programs such as competitions, recitation sessions and educational programs held in the country in recent years.