The head of Quran and Etrat Department of Iran’s Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance has provided details of the 31^st International Holy Quran Fair in a press conference here in Tehran.

The presser was held on March 5 with presence of tens of reporters and photographers from Iranian media outlets.

Shobeir Firouzian said that the upcoming exhibition “underscores the Islamic Republic's commitment to the Quran” and serves as a platform to familiarize people with its concepts.

“The exhibition is a multifaceted event, blending quality content with captivating artistic presentations and when combined with sincerity, it becomes a trend that resonates deeply with people,” he added.

National Quranic initiatives, like international competitions and exhibitions, signal the growing significance of the Quran within the country, he said.

“Similar to the Quran itself, the exhibition serves as a guiding light for people, catering to diverse tastes,” he said, adding, “Furthermore, it remains attuned to global events, and is a clear manifestation of the explanation jihad.”

The convergence of the natural spring season with the Quranic spring is promising, suggesting a prosperous Quranic year ahead, the official said, noting that just as Nowruz and Ramadan are family-oriented, the exhibition also caters to families.

The event date, place

This year's International Holy Quran Exhibition will run from the March 20 to April 2, from 5:00 PM to 0:30 AM (local time) at Tehran’s Mosalla, he said.

The fair features 45 Quranic institutions and 24 governmental bodies, the official added.

The international segment will run from March 20 to March 26 with an increased participation this year as around 25 countries will showcase their artistic and written works, he noted, adding that Quranic discussions will be held the presence of five ministers from Islamic nations.

The event will have a particular focus on the Gaza and Palestine resistance movements, as well as pertinent issues like the Al-Aqsa Storm Operation and Zionism, he maintained.

The resilience of the people of Gaza is attributed in part to their familiarity with the Quran, serving as a source of soft power and fostering a spirit of resistance, he added.

From kids’ section to iftar meals

This year's exhibition aims to convey Quranic concepts to society through artistic, cultural, and theatrical mediums, he said. “A key focus of this exhibition is catering to children and teenagers. We view investing in their education as strategic and believe that teaching Quranic concepts through art, drama, and games is essential. We're committed to incorporating these approaches throughout the exhibition.”

“Additionally, we've dedicated a section to artificial intelligence and knowledge-based topics, recognizing their global significance,” the official noted.

“Continuing our tradition from previous years, we will offer simple iftar meals,” he noted, adding, “This year, we've arranged the iftar tables to encourage families to come together, fostering a cheerful atmosphere.”

The event also includes a section on Nahj al-Balaghah and has integrated Quranic research and consultation services to provide practical solutions to life's challenges, he said.

Around 160 publishers have expressed their readiness to showcase their religious and Quranic books at the exhibition, according to Firouzian.

A significant aspect of the exhibition is dedicated to Iranian and Islamic clothing, with over 205 suppliers ready to showcase their offerings, the official added.

He noted that an event will be held on the sideline of the exhibition where Iranian President will honor the efforts of a number of Quran servants. 

“The exhibition includes sections on women and family, facilitating marriage, Quran translation, and the Boshra Quranic project, which has trained 14 thousand Quranic instructors,” he said, adding, “We're also promoting easy Quran memorization during this edition.”

This year's exhibition motto, "I read you," is a repeat from last year due to its positive reception, particularly among the youth, Firouzian said. “The Quran itself begins with a call to read; reading the Quran is one of the central themes of the holy book.”