TEHRAN – Iran will host the first Quran competitions among the armed forces of Islamic countries, the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) reported.
Brigadier General Mohammad Ali Asoudi, deputy commander of the Islamic Revolution’s Guard Corps (IRGC) for publicity and cultural affairs, said on Sunday that contestants from 21 Islamic states will attend the event.
Representatives from 13 Islamic countries have arrived at the country so far, with those from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Maldives, Guinea, Malaysia, Sudan, Niger, Jordan, Bosnia and Herzegovina arriving on Sunday.
However, some 16 countries will not be attending the four-day event due to legal restrictions, said Asoudi.
Asoudi will deliver a keynote speech during the event’s opening ceremony.