According to Atabe News, at the 40th National Festival of the Holy Qur’an and Ahl al-Bayt (AS) for University Students, the Abna al-Reza (AS) devotional chanting group from Imam Reza International University secured first place, while three students from the university won second place in different categories.

Accordingly, Fatemeh Salemian won second place in the Biography of the Infallibles category, Ali Sajedi Moghadam in Qur’an recitation (Tartil-style research recitation), and Mehdi Ahmadiabadi in the Adhan (call to prayer) category.

In addition, Zahra Sadat Esmati secured third place in memorization of Juz’ 30 of the Holy Qur’an, Abolfazl Zendeh in devotional supplication recitation, and Amir Ziaei in religious eulogy recitation.

Students Compete in Seven Qur’anic and Religious Knowledge Categories

The 40th National Festival of the Holy Qur’an and Ahl al-Bayt (AS) for University Students was held in seven categories. These included the vocal arts category, featuring disciplines such as Qur’an recitation, measured recitation and memorization, as well as the religious knowledge category, which covered Qur’anic exegesis and Islamic rulings. The religious knowledge category comprised nine subcategories for student competitions.

In this edition, public speaking and group singing were also added to the competition disciplines for the first time, providing students with opportunities to participate in a wider range of Qur’anic and artistic activities.

The closing ceremony and awards presentation for the 40th edition of the festival took place on Thursday, November 5, 2026 (14 Aban 1405), hosted by the University of Qom and attended by Hossein Simaei Sarraf, Minister of Science, Research and Technology.

In total, representatives of Imam Reza International University won seven awards at this edition of the festival: one first-place award, three second-place awards and three third-place awards.

It is worth noting that the university’s Deputy for Cultural and Student Affairs also congratulated the award-winning students and their families in a message, wishing them continued success on their path of deepening their connection with the Holy Qur’an and Ahl al-Bayt (AS).