AhlulBayt News Agency (ABNA): Promoting understanding of the Quran in society is the primary goal of Quran competitions, says Head of Iran’s Awqaf and Charity Affairs Hojat-ol-Islam Mehdi Khamoushi.
"Our primary goal is to create a correct Quranic understanding," Khamoushi stated while addressing the closing ceremony of the knowledge section of Iran's 47th National Quran Competition in Qom on Thursday.
He referenced a Quranic verse to illustrate this aim: "In houses which Allah has allowed to be raised up, and His Name to be remembered therein. In the morning and evening." (Surah An-Nur, verse 36)
Khamoushi underscored that understanding the Quran should be the top priority for individuals, families, societies, and political systems.
He also highlighted the role of Quranic competitions in assessing the growth of Quranic understanding within society. "These competitions are an excuse to see how much Quranic understanding has grown in society," he said.
Addressing the challenges posed by extremist groups, Khamoushi argued that organizations like Daesh were created to prevent the spread of true Islamic thought. "They created Daesh to prevent the establishment of pure Islamic thought in the world and to portray Muslims as merciless people who behead others while shouting 'Allahu Akbar'. This was to prevent the spread of correct Quranic understanding in the world," he explained.
Khamoushi stressed the difficulty of implementing Quranic teachings in daily life and the importance of continuous and comprehensive Quranic education. "We intend to raise our children with a worldly perspective, but we must understand that this is a mistake. Islam is not solely for worldly upbringing; its perfect version is for both worlds. For 'to Allah is the final return and we are returning to Him,' continuous and comprehensive Quranic education must be the focus of upbringing," he said, quoting another Quranic verse: "The life of this world is nothing but a diversion and play. Indeed, the Everlasting Residence is the Eternal Life, if they but knew."
He reiterated the organization's commitment to promoting a Quranic lifestyle. "Quranic competitions have been and will be held, but our main goal is to change the Quranic lifestyle and create a correct Quranic understanding."
The ceremony marked the end of Iran's Quran competition. The recitation and memorization categories of the contest were held earlier this month in Tabriz, East Azarbaijan Province.
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