Quranic Olympiad Held in Baku

(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) - The Iranian Cultural Center in Baku held the second Quranic Olympiad in Baku, capital of the Republic of Azerbaijan on June 25.Iran’s Cultural Attaché Ebrahim Nouri said that the number of participants this year rose six times compared to the previous edition.He said 200 individuals from different cities of the Azerbaijan Republic competed in the categories of Quran recitation, memorization and translation.According to Mr. Nouri, the Olympiad was held with the aim of encouraging people to help to promote Quranic teachings.Winners will be awarded prizes and certificates of honor as well as pilgrimage packages to the holy city of Mashhad, he added.Nouri said due to the Azerbaijanis’ keen interest in the Holy Quran, the Iranian Cultural Center plans to organize the event every year in cooperation with the Azerbaijan Republic’s Religious Affairs Committee.Nouri added that the center also organizes weekly Quranic courses for Quran-devotees of the republic, benefiting from the expertise of local Quran teachers. /129