Two-Day All India Quran Recitation Competition and Milad-un-Nabi Celebration Concludes at Iran Culture House

 

New Delhi: On the auspicious occasion of Eid Milad-un-Nabi, the Iran Culture House in New Delhi hosted a grand two-day event featuring the 26th All India Quran Recitation Competition along with Milad-un-Nabi celebrations. The event, which drew participants from across India, created a deeply spiritual atmosphere with soulful recitations that captivated the audience. The valedictory ceremony was graced by Iran’s Ambassador, Dr. Iraj Elahi, who attended as the chief guest.\

Addressing the gathering, Dr. Elahi described the birth anniversary of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) as a symbol of mercy and the greatest day for humanity. He emphasized that the Prophet’s greatness lay in his high moral values and noble character, and hailed the Quran as a divine miracle that transformed the world.

The competition witnessed participation from noted Hafiz and Qaris representing different states. Among the prominent winners were Asif Iqbal Bunat and Mohammad Afroj from Mumbai, Mohammad Sadiq and Ahmed Umar from Bhopal, Mohammad Arif and Hafiz from Saharanpur, and Shakir Hussain with Qazi Mohammad Usman from Allahabad, who secured third place. In the Hafiz category, Hafiz Mohammad Qasim from Rampur, Hafiz Mohammad Salman from Mubarakpur, and Hafiz Abdul Qayyum from Bhopal bagged first place, earning high appreciation from the judges and audience alike. Winners were honored with certificates and awards presented by Ambassador Dr. Elahi along with members of the jury and distinguished guests.

The jury panel this year comprised Qari Mohammad Usman from Allahabad, Qari Mohammad Abdullah Pustakar from Lucknow, Qari Mahmoud Savakh from Iran, Hafiz Abdul Ali from Jafarian, and Akram Ali Raza. The final day commenced with Quran recitation by Iranian Qari Sayyed Ali-Asghar, followed by an inaugural address by the Cultural Counsellor of Iran Culture House, Dr. Prof. Farid Altar. In his remarks, Prof. Altar highlighted the timeless message of the Quran and the exemplary life of Prophet Muhammad, stressing that such initiatives strengthen the cultural bonds between India and Iran.

The ceremony was attended by a host of eminent personalities, including Prof. Akhtar Abar-Chache, Dr. Baidar Farooq-ul, Dr. Tasleem Subhani, Maulana Kalb Rasool, Engineer Saleem Ahmad, Jamaat-e-Islami’s Baidar Raza Javed, Anjuman Alam Sabri of Moradabad, Dr. Iftikhar Ansari, and Haji Shuaib, along with senior scholars and community elders from Delhi-NCR. All praised the efforts of the organizers, particularly Ambassador Dr. Elahi and Cultural Counsellor Prof. Altar, for their role in promoting spiritual and cultural harmony.

The event concluded with prayers for peace, brotherhood, and prosperity. More than just a competition, the gathering served as a vibrant platform for showcasing talent while also strengthening the deep cultural and spiritual ties between India and Iran.