Preliminary Exams for Quranic Elites Competition in Iraq Begin

IQNA – The National Center for Quranic Sciences, affiliated with the Shia Awqaf (Endowments) Authority in Iraq, has begun holding preliminary exams for the 16th National Quranic Elites Competition.

News ID: 3498360

Date: 21 July 2026 - 13:45

The center’s experts began listening to recorded recitations received from qaris from all provinces of Iraq in the Thaqalain Hall of the center's building on Monday, July 20.

They evaluate them and select the best ones to participate in the 16th edition of the National Quranic Elites Competition.

Members of a specialized judging committee headed by Sheikh Iyad al-Kaabi listen to and evaluate the recordings under the supervision of Qari Rafi al-Ameri, the center's director.

The committee also includes Sami Al-Gharawi (judge of Tajweed rules), Sabah Al-Sarai (judge of tone), Ali Abdul Sattar Al-Khafaji and Farhan Al-Arkwazi (judges of Waqf and Ibtida), and Ali Hassan (judge of voice).

The top performers in the preliminary exams from each province will represent their respective provinces in the national contest, which the center will hold in the future.

Read More: {$sepehr_key_14327}

The contest aims to select the best Iraqi reciters and memorizers to send to international Quran competitions.

Last year, its 15th edition was held under the slogan “Representing Iraq; an honor for all”.

4365254