The 31st International Holy Quran Fair, a spiritual and cultural journey that coincides with the Nowruz holidays, opened its doors at Tehran’s Imam Khomeini Mosalla on March 20. The fair, which will run until April 2, invites enthusiasts to explore its offerings daily from 5:00 PM to 00:30 AM local time.

Seyyed Mohammad Hashemi, deputy minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance, spoke on the sidelines of the event, highlighting the importance of such initiatives in fostering a nationwide culture of Quran memorization. “Events like the International Qur’an Exhibition, International Holy Qur’an Competitions, and programs such as ‘Mahfel’ serve as key platforms to inspire and draw people towards the Qur’an,” Hashemi said. “With God’s grace, these Quranic initiatives aim to foster 10 million Quran memorizers nationwide.”

Hashemi further described the Quran exhibition as a “Quranic festival”, a communal hub for every Iranian family. “It’s a space where Iranian families engage with each other and, as per the minister, it’s a Quranic haven. We should motivate families to take advantage of this platform,” he added.

The fair welcomed nearly four million visitors last year, and the organizers hope to see an equal or even greater turnout this year. A key highlight of the exhibition is its family-friendly atmosphere, ensuring a welcoming space for all ages. The fair has arranged for Iftar tables to be set up, providing a communal space for visitors to break their fast together following the Maghrib and Isha prayers, further fostering a sense of community and shared experience during this blessed month.

The fair features various Quranic institutions and governmental bodies, as well as international participants from 25 countries. It also highlights the issues of Gaza and Palestine and the role of the Quran in inspiring resistance. The fair aims to familiarize people with Quranic concepts through artistic, cultural, and theatrical mediums, especially for children and teenagers. It also offers sections on artificial intelligence, Nahj al-Balaghah, Quranic research and consultation, Quran translation, and easy Quran memorization.