The Second International Qira’at Competition will be held in Islamabad from 24 to 26 of this month.

According to a spokesperson for the Ministry of Religious Affairs, nominations of distinguished Quran reciters from 31 countries have been received so far.

The ministry has invited nominations from the 57 member states of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), along with 11 other countries, including Russia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, India, China, Ethiopia, the Philippines, Germany, Tanzania, France, Kenya and the Maldives.

The international event aims to promote the teachings of the Holy Quran and the art of Quranic recitation, while strengthening religious and spiritual ties among Muslim countries.

Renowned Qaris from Egypt and Iran will attend as judges, while Pakistan will be represented by internationally acclaimed Qari Syed Sadaqat Ali.

The ministry said all necessary travel, administrative and logistical arrangements have been finalised to ensure the smooth and successful conduct of the competition.