On October 11, the finals of 16th Moscow International Qur'an Reciting Competition, organized under the auspices of the Chairman of Russia Muftis Council mufti sheikh Ravil Gaynutdin and with the support from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, took place in Crocus City Hall in Moscow. For the first time in the history of the contest, it brought together Qur'an reciters from 44 countries.

This year, the contest was held in the nomination of hifz (recitation of the Holy Qur'an by heart). The experienced jury board, consisting of well-known huffaz from Russia, Egypt, Jordan, Brunei and Yemen, evaluated the contenders' knowledge of the Qur'an, tajwid rules and the beauty of recitation.

In accordance with the jury's decision, only six contenders were allowed to compete in the finals of the competition: Mahiddin Boudzelal (Algeria), Musa Motamedi (Iran), Zaid Abdulatif Abdullah al-Sanaani (Yemen), Sultan Sarram (Kuwait), Ahmed Abdulaziz al-Aibedan (Saudi Arabia), Omari Abdallah Salim (Tanzania).

At the beginning of the event, contenders and guests of the contest were addressed by Chairman of Russia Muftis Council and the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of the Russian Federation mufti sheikh Ravil Gaynutdin.

"Qur'an is the speech of Almighty Allah sent to Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) and it's a miracle in itself. Besides this competition, Russia Muftis Council organizes annual exhibitions, seminars, round tables, conferences, educational tours -- all popularizing the significance of the Qur'an, enlightening people and spreading the Word of Creator." said Muslim leader.

He also reminded of a significant event that took place on September 23 this year: the opening of Moscow Jum'ah Mosque.

"One of this year's major events is the opening of Moscow Jum'ah Mosque after a large-scale reconstruction. The opening ceremony was attended by the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin, Moscow City major Sergey Sobyanin, President of the Turkish republic Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, President of Palestine Mahmoud Abbas and heads of Russia's regions, as well as ambassadors of Arab and Muslim states," stressed Russian Muslim leader.

Speaking of the Muslim Ummah, mufti sheikh Ravil Gaynutdin confessed that the Muslims of Russia are watching bloody events in Syria, Palestine, Ukraine, Yemen and a number of other states with pain and grief. "Armed conflicts, killing of innocents, incitement of wars and hatred are all major sins shunned by Almighty Allah," he said.

The contest's special guest was imam of Masjid al-Haram Maher al-Muaiqly whose recitation is known to millions of Muslims from across the world.

Besides the performance of huffaz -- Qur'an reciters from all around the world -- the guests of the event had a chance to see the impressive art of ebru (painting on water) by Saint Petersburg artist Olga Kaurova while established Russian scholars shared their thoughts on Qur'an. The competition also included the draw of three Umrah (lesser hajj) trip tickets.

Each and every contender performed well and conveyed the Word of God to the multiethnic and multifaith audience both within Crocus City Hall and those who were watching the contest online.

This year's contest was won by reciter Musa Motamedi from Iran. Second place went to Zaid Abdulatif Abdullah al-Sanaani from Yemen. Tanzanian reciter Omari Abdallah Salim placed third.