Younes Shahmoradi Tops international Quran recitation contest

Web Desk — Iranian citizen Younes Shahmoradi topped in the international Quran and Azaan recitation competition held in Saudi Arabia.

A prolific reciter of the Quran, Shahmoradi, won the first prize in the Quran recital part of the competition bagging $800,000. Abdulaziz al-Faqih, the Saudi citizen, remained runner-up and was given $0.5 million.

Along with Younes Shahmoradi, there were contestants from Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Lebanon, and the UK who bagged the top four titles.

General Authority for Entertainment Saudi Arabia organized the Islamic competition to recognize exceptional vocal talents in Quranic recitation and Azaan.

Saudi citizen Muhammad al-Sharif remained victorious in the Azaan category. He was awarded $0.5 million. Indonesian contestant Diaa al-Din secured third place.

As many as six Guinness Book of Records were made during the finale. The records included recognition for the largest Quranic competition in terms of participating countries, the largest competition in the call to prayer, largest prizes in Quranic and Azaan competitions.