Iranian reciter competing in Malaysian Quran contest

TEHRAN,June 18(MNA) – Iranian Quran reciter Hamed Valizadeh is participating in the 56th International Al-Quran Recital and Memorization Assembly, underway at Putra World Trade Center in Kuala Lumpur. Malaysia’s king Sultan Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah, Malaysia’s Prime Minister Najib Razak, Iranian cultural attaché in Malaysia Ali-Akbar Ziaii and a group of Iranians attended the opening ceremony on Monday. Over 70 male and female participants from 57 countries are in Malaysia from June 16 to 21 to take part in the competition. Two Muslim students from the U.S are taking part in the contest, the first-ever participation from the United States in the Al-Quran recital event in Malaysia. The first prize winner will receive a cash prize of $13,000, the second $10,000 and the third $6,800.