Makkah, September 11, 2022, SPA -- Participants in the King Abdulaziz International Competition for the Memorization, Recitation, and Interpretation of the Holy Quran in its 42nd session, held in the Grand Mosque in Makkah, said this international competition is a reflection of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and its leadership’s effort to care for and preserve the Holy Quran, noting that the Kingdom spares no effort in serving the Holy Book by holding this annual competition. Mohammed Shuaib Rashid, a contestant from Singapore, noted that participating in the international competition is an achievement given that it is held in the Grand Mosque and next to the Kaaba, praising the Kingdom's efforts in serving the Quran for several decades. For his part, Abdul Mohsen Jamal, from Ethiopia, said that holding Quranic competitions is a true witness to the Kingdom’s efforts in service of Islam and the Quran. Meanwhile, Malaysian contestant Shahr Al-Honaifi said that he is living the best moments of his life next to the Grand Mosque, participating in the greatest competition concerned with memorizing, reciting, and interpreting the Quran. The preliminary qualifiers for the King Abdulaziz International Competition for Memorizing, Reciting, and Interpreting the Holy Quran in its 42nd session, organized by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance, represented by the General Secretariat of the Holy Quran Competition from 14-25 Safar 1444 AH, with the participation of 153 contestants from 111 countries, kicked off Saturday and will continue for three days in morning and evening shifts, after the competitors arrive at the competition premises. --SPA 14:18 LOCAL TIME 11:18 GMT 0009 www.spa.gov.sa/w1783235