The finals of the XV anniversary Moscow International Qur'an Reciting Competition, organised under the patronage of Chairman of Russia Muftis Council mufti sheikh Ravil Gaynutdin and Moscow City Government and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, took place on September 20 in Crocus City Hall. For two days, participants fr om more than 35 countries contended for the title of best hafiz.

The contest was divided into two categories: tilawa (beautiful reading) and hifz (recitation of the Holy Qur’an by heart). The strict panel of judges consisting of well-known huffaz from Russia, Turkey, Jordan, Iran and Lebanon judged the contenders according to their knowledge of Qur'an by heart, rules of tajweed and the beauty of recitation.

By the decision of the panel of judges, the finals of the competition were attended by 7 best contenders who passed through the elimination round.

At the start of the event, Chairman of Russia Muftis Council mufti sheikh Ravil Gaynutdin delivered a speech before the guests and the participants of the event.

"The Holy Qur'an is a miracle presented to us by our Creator, and we in Russia Muftis Council organise not only this contest, but also other exhibitions, seminars, round tables, conferences, educational trips to popularize the special role of Qur'an, educating and spreading the word of our Creator. During this year, we have organised a number of large-scale events apart from our main holidays, Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. Those are Mawlid an-Nabi, international exhibition Moscow Halal Expo, Tent of Ramadan. And it was in the Tent of Ramadan wh ere the reciters who represent our country at this competition today were chosen", said the spiritual head of Russia's Muslims.

"That said, I can't but remind that tens of thousands of our brothers and sisters, right at this very moment, are suffering extreme hardships because of horrible armed conflicts. With great pain and grief we watch the bloody events in Syria, Gaza, Iraq and a number of other states. Armed clashes, killing of innocents, warmongering, instigating conflicts is a great sin hated by Almighty God and leading to Hell, for Islam curses the killers of innocents people, civilians, women and children! Muslims of Russia always were and will always stand for peace on Earth", stressed mufti sheikh Ravil Gaynutdin.

This year's special guest of the contest was Sheikh Saad al-Ghamdi, famous scholar from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia whose recitation is known to millions of Muslims all around the world.

During the anniversary XV Moscow International Qur'an Reciting Competition, Russia Muftis Council and the Foundation of Children Doctor Roshal organised a large-scale charity event to help children with severe injuries in the Scientific Research Institute of Emergency Children Surgery and Traumatology. Young reciter Karim Aliev caught the attention of the speakers, while the assistant of Dr Roshal, head of rehabilitation department, PhD, paediatrician of highest category Svetlana Valiullina in her speech thanked Russia Muftis Council for their help in treatment of a young patient from the Republic of Dagestan.

Besides the performance of Qur'anic reciters from all around the world, the guests of the contest were presented an impressive sand show telling about the beauty of Islam and the Holy Qur'an.

Each and all of the participants of Moscow International Qur'an Reciting Competition performed well and conveyed the holy word of our Creator to thousands of guests and online viewers of the contest.

The winners of the contest in the nomination of tilawa are:
1. Muhammad Ben Ali (Brunei Darussalam)
2. Mahdi Golamnizad (Iran)
3. Riza Günay (Turkey)

Winners in the nomination of hifz:
1. Omar Anwar Nabrawi (Saudi Arabia)
2. Adbussalam Imsaid Abdussalam al-Imari (Libya)
3. Gehad Ali as-Samaw (Yemen)

The prize winners of the competition were presented with diplomas decorated with exclusive Egyptian crystals. All participants of XV Moscow Qur'an Reciting Competition were presented with valuable gifts and certificates of participation in the contest.

RMC press service