Riyadh: The Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance, represented by the religious attach© at the Saudi Embassy in Bosnia and Herzegovina, inaugurated on Saturday the preliminary rounds of the Fourth International Holy Quran Competition for the Balkan Countries in Skopje, the capital of North Macedonia.

According to Saudi Press Agency, the ministry is organizing this year's edition in cooperation with the Islamic Religious Community of the Republic of North Macedonia. The event sees the participation of 200 male and female contestants from 29 countries, competing across five categories.

The competition is set to continue over the coming days, with contestants participating in accordance with judging criteria established by specialized panels. These panels include a distinguished group of Quran memorizers from the Balkan states and other participating European countries.

The event underscores Saudi Arabia's commitment to serving the Holy Quran and highlights efforts to strengthen cooperation with Islamic institutions. It also aims to promote the values of moderation and tolerance and encourages younger generations to memorize, contemplate, and apply the teachings of the Holy Quran.