RIYADH: Contestants at the 43rd King Abdulaziz International Competition for the Memorization, Recitation and Interpretation of the Qur’an expressed their appreciation for Saudi Arabia’s hospitality. The competition, which began on Friday at the Grand Mosque in Makkah, is organized by the Saudi Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah, and Guidance, represented by the General Secretariat of the Local and International Holy Qur’an Competition. Contestants from 117 countries are participating in the competition, which runs until Sept. 6. A total of SR4 million ($1.07 million) will be awarded to the winners of its five categories. The participants expressed their joy at qualifying for this international competition and their gratitude toward King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for their generous hospitality and the well-organized competition. Contestant Khalid Ali from Russia could not contain his joy upon seeing the holy Kaaba while performing Umrah rituals for the first time in his life. Ali’s dream came true as he had the opportunity to participate in this contest and visit the Grand Mosque. Abdul Jabbar Saleh from Burkina Faso said that the competition reflects the importance the Kingdom places on the holy Qur’an, while contestant Moaz Khalid from Germany expressed his pride in representing his country at the competition. Saudi Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dawah, and Guidance Sheikh Abdullatif Al-Asheikh, who is also the general supervisor of the competition, praised King Salman for his support of the competition, which, he said, “motivates Muslims all over the world to compete in memorizing and reciting the Qur’an.”