According to the website of the Astan (custodianship) of Imam Hussein (AS) holy shrine, Quran memorizers from different parts of the Arab country are attending the contest.

There are some 800 men and women competing in two separate sections in the contest.

It is part of the "Thousand Quran Memorizer” plan being implemented by the Astan.

The opening ceremony began with recitation of verses from the Holy Quran by prominent Iranian Qari Seyed Ali Adel.

Next, Seyed Morteza Jamaleddin, the deputy of the Astan’s Dar-ol-Quran center, in an address underlined the importance of Quranic activities in raising a generation familiar with the teachings of the Holy Quran.

The competition will run in four sessions.

Iraq has seen a surge in Quranic activities in the past few years following the fall of former dictator Saddam Hussein’s regime.

/SR