RIYADH — Two contestants from Iran and Turkey have completed the list of semifinalists for the International Holy Qur’an and Call to Prayer competition, Otr Elkalam (Scent of Speech), bringing the total number of contestants participating in the penultimate stage of the competition to 12 contestants: 6 in the recitation category and 6 others in the call to prayer category.

The Iranian reciter Seyed Jassem Mousavi was the last to qualify in the recitation category for the semifinals after the loss of his Libyan counterpart Issam Abdul Hafeez Al-Rubai. The Turkish contestant Albijan Celik Gleik was the last of the muezzins to join the list of semifinalists after eliminating his competitor Ibrahim Al-Zahrani.

In the semifinals, 6 contestants from each category compete in each round, with 4 of whom qualifying for the final. Thus, the total number of contestants from both categories reaching the final will be 8.

Otr Elkalam TV show is one of the initiatives of the Saudi General Entertainment Authority. It is broadcast daily on the Saudi channel and Shahid platform at 5 p.m., Riyadh time. It is widely viewed in different countries, as the competition hosts contestants of different nationalities. — SG