Pakistan hosts first global Qirat competition with Qur’an reciters from 40 nations

• Event aims to promote art of Qur’anic recitation while strengthening intercultural and interfaith harmony
• Qur’an reciters will be judged by panel comprising five jurors from Pakistan, three from other countries 

ISLAMABAD: Qur’an reciters from over 40 countries are taking part in the first ever International Qirat Competition organized by Pakistan in its capital city Islamabad today, Monday.

The five-day International Qirat Competition (IQC-2025) will see Qur’an reciters from over 40 countries part of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) share the stage to recite passages from the holy book.

The judges’ panel comprises three international and five Pakistani jurors. One reciter from Pakistan will also participate in the competition.

“When voices from 40 nations recite the same divine words under one roof, it reminds us how the Qur’an unites hearts beyond borders,” Qari Syed Sadaqat Ali, a member of Pakistan’s religious affairs ministry and the coordinator of the event, said.

The jurors will evaluate the Qur’an reciters’ performances on tajweed, which refers to application of the rules of reciting the holy book, melody, rhythm and the spiritual impact of their deliveries.

The grand prize distribution ceremony will take place on Nov. 29 at the Jinnah Convention Center in Islamabad, where the winners will be bestowed with awards. State-level dignitaries are expected to preside over the concluding session.

In his speech at the opening of the competition, Religious Affairs Minister Sardar Muhammad Yousaf hoped the event would help promote Arabic language in Pakistan.

“This will bring success in this world and the Hereafter,” Yousaf said. “Arabic is the language of the Qur’an, and it is essential for all of us to learn it so that we can read, understand, and act upon the Holy Qur’an.”

Nabeel Muhammed Ali Sharabati, a Qur’an reciter From Palestine, said he was very happy to participate in the event and meet his colleagues from other Islamic nations.

“We gather here in Pakistan to recite and compete in beautifully reciting the holy Qur’an,” Sharabati said.

Nourou Din Hassan, a Qur’an reciter from Cameroon, echoed the same sentiments.

“I am very happy to be here and to represent my country and to meet other countries from all over the world and to share the ilm [knowledge] of Qur’an, to share the qirat and tilawat [recitation] and to hear tilawat from every one of my brothers,” Hassan told Arab News.