MOSCOW, October 11. /TASS/. One of the world’s largest Quran recitation competitions will be held in Moscow on Sunday bringing together participants from 44 countries, including Germany, the U.K. and the United States, the press service of the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Russia reported.

The jury headed by Jordan’s representative, which includes judges from Russia, Brunei, Egypt and Yemen, will assess the accuracy and melodiousness of presenting the texts and will select the best reciters. They will share three prizes and will also receive a monetary award of up to $5,000. These are the finances of the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Russia and philanthropists.

Deputy chairman of the administration Rushan Abbyasov told TASS that it was possible to memorize the whole of the Quran - that’s about 600 pages - within a period varying from six months to 3 years. It is much appreciated, if a reciter has a beautiful voice and uses special rules of intonation. "The tradition of Quran Huffaz [those who know the Quran by heart] makes it possible for us to preserve our religion undistorted for centuries," Abbyasov said.

Russia will be represented by the youngest participant - 16-year-old Bilal Abdulkhalikov from Dagestan. Despite his young age, Bilal knows the whole of the Quran by heart and became a winner of prestigious international reciting contests in the past.

The international Quran recitation competition will be held in Moscow for the 16th time this year. It was supported by the Russian Foreign Ministry, the Russian Ministry of Culture and Moscow City Hall.