Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — The list of contestants in the finals of the International Competition of Holy Qur’an and Call to Prayer, Otr Elkalam (Scent of Speech), has been completed after contestants Izzat Al-Sayed, in the recitation category, and Arkan Al-Qaisi, in the call to prayer category were eliminated.

They were the last two competitors to make the grade after their rivals had qualified for the final stage of the competition earlier in the week. Four participants had already qualified for both in the recitation and call to prayer categories.

With the qualifications of the contestants Younis Mustafa Gharbi from Morocco and Sayed Jassem Mousavi from Iran, in the recitation category, and Abdul Rahman Bin Adel from Saudi Arabia and Mohsen Kara from Turkey, in the call to prayer category, all places in the finals of the international competition have been completed.

The competition showcases the most beautiful voices in reciting the Holy Qur’an and delivering the call to prayer.

The first round of the semifinals witnessed the qualification of the contestants Mohammed Ayoub from the UK and Mohammed Mujahid from Bahrain for the final in the recitation category and Albijan Celik from Turkey and Anas Al-Rahili from Saudi Arabia in the call to prayer category.

This brought the total number of contestants in the final of Otr Elkalam to 8, divided equally between the two categories of recitation and the call to prayer.

The penultimate round of the competition was characterized by sweet manifestations that captured the hearts of the viewers and brought to their minds the performances of the great reciters.

The competition, launched by the General Entertainment Authority, is distinguished by its precise criteria and jury, which enhances competitiveness. It is broadcast daily on the Saudi channel and Shahid platform at 5 p.m.