RNA - Egypt is selecting its top Quran reciters and memorizers to represent the country in international Quranic events in different countries.
But Awqaf Minister Mohamed Mokhtar Gomaa told Emirates’ al-Khaleej (Persian Gulf) daily that no one from the North African country will attend Iran’s Quran competition.
The Islamic Republic’s 32nd international Quran competition is slated to be held by the Organization of Awqaf and Endowments from May 15 to 22 in Tehran.
Gomaa claimed that Egypt’s Quranic representatives who go to Iran and Iraq “commit religious offences such as reciting the Adhan (call to prayers) the Shia style.”
Last month Egypt refused to invite Iran, Qatar and Turkey to send Qaris to its international Quran competition due to what it called “the political tensions existing between Egypt and the three countries.”
While international Quranic programs can serve as a venue for enhancing Islamic unity, something that the Muslim Ummah needs more than ever, Egypt’s decision to politicize such events is regrettable.
Iran, unlike Egypt, recognizes the important role of Quranic activities in promoting Muslim unity and that is why the Islamic Republic has so far invited Egyptian Quran reciters and memorizers to all of its international Quranic events.
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