New Delhi: The Cultural House of the Embassy of Iran and the Embassy of Iraq jointly hosted a celebration of the 1500th Milad-un-Nabi and the Valedictory Session of the 26th All India Quranic Competition on Tuesday evening. The event brought together diplomats, community leaders, and participants from India, Iraq, and Iran to honor the life and teachings of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
The competition showcased outstanding talent in Quranic recitation and memorization. Hafiz Mohd Qashan won first place in the Hifz category, with Mohd Salman finishing second. In Qiraat, the top prize went to Qari Salman Ibn-e-Janab Muhammad Mufti Kareem of Surat. Qari Habibul Waris Muhammad Ameen from Deoband earned second position, while Qari Muhammad Samama from Allahabad secured third place. The winners received awards from the Iran Cultural House and the Iraqi Embassy.
Iranian Ambassador Iraj Elahi addressed the audience, describing the Qur’an as a source of unity across nations. He emphasized that while Muslims revere the Qur’an’s eloquence, many neglect its practical guidance. He said this neglect weakens the community and leaves it vulnerable to problems such as extremism and injustice. He urged Muslims to reclaim the Qur’an as their guiding force.
Oday Hatim Mohammed, Counselor at the Iraqi Embassy, highlighted the importance of cultural cooperation between Iraq and Iran. He called the event a symbol of peace and expressed hope that more missions would join future competitions.
The evening ended with inspiring recitations by the judges, leaving the audience with a renewed sense of reflection and unity.
