Iranian Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance Mohammad Mehdi Esmaeili says three million people have visited this year’s Holy Quran Fair.
“Drawing on the
strength of the Quran, the Islamic Revolution breathed new life into divine
values, standing up against Western aggression and opening up the possibility
of a fulfilling life for all,” he wrote in a post on X following a ceremony in
which Iranian President Ebrahim Raeisi recognized the efforts of 15 Quran servants
on the sidelines of the 31st International Holy Quran Fair on
Saturday.
“We’ve restructured
our cultural diplomacy efforts,” he said, adding that his ministry has facilitated
Quranic dialogues among various Muslim communities, extending its reach to 28
countries worldwide.
“This year, we’ve
seen the publication of 100 new works in Quranic and religious studies,” he
said, adding that translations are underway for 100 works by non-Muslim
thinkers about Ahl al-Bayt (AS).
“We’ve also seen a
threefold increase in the participation of foreign Quranic thinkers and
artists,” he noted, stressing, these and many other advancements have drawn an
impressive crowd of 3 million people to the Quran exhibition.
The 31st International Holy Quran Fair opened its doors at
Tehran's Imam Khomeini Mosalla on March 20, welcoming visitors to a spiritual
and cultural journey that coincides with the Nowruz holidays.
The exhibition, which will run until April 2, invites enthusiasts
to explore its offerings daily from 5:00 PM to 00:30 AM local time.
A key highlight of the exhibition is its family-friendly
atmosphere, ensuring a welcoming space for all ages.
Additionally, the fair has arranged for Iftar tables to be
set up, providing a communal space for visitors to break their fast together
following the Maghrib and Isha prayers, further fostering a sense of community
and shared experience during this blessed month.
The fair features various Quranic institutions and governmental
bodies, as well as international participants from 25 countries. The also
highlights the issues of Gaza and Palestine and the role of the Quran in
inspiring resistance.
The fair aims to familiarize people with Quranic concepts
through artistic, cultural, and theatrical mediums, especially for children and
teenagers. It also offers sections on artificial intelligence, Nahj
al-Balaghah, Quranic research and consultation, Quran translation, and easy
Quran memorization.