The event was opened on Wednesday in Kazan, Russia, with participants from 20 countries, including BRICS nations, the CIS, Asia, and Africa.

The competition will feature reciters of the Quran competing for the “Tilyawa” prize, recognizing skillful recitation of sacred texts, Rushan Abbyasov, the first deputy chairman of the Russian Muftis Council (RMC), told Sputnik.

According to the religious figure, the prize of the largest international religious competition will go to the best reciter.

“Russia will be represented by Yasir Dodarbekov, a hafiz (a person who knows the Muslim holy book by heart). The jury will be headed by Khalifa Mesbah al-Tuneji, head of the Academy of the Holy Quran in Sharjah,” Abbyasov noted.

The event, organized by the Russian Muftis Council and Mohammed bin Zayed University of Humanities, will also include a theatrical production highlighting the spiritual and moral values of the Quran.

Guests will include ministers, muftis, scholars, and heads of major Muslim organizations from around the world.