The competition’s preliminary stage started in the holy city of Qom on Saturday and will run for two weeks.

In this stage, the contenders’ performances are recorded in a studio to be later broadcast on the Quran TV.

Three Quran experts are present in every contender’s performance.

The panel of judges assesses the performances in different categories, including memorization of the entire Quran and recitation of the Quran.

Behrooz Yarigol heads the panel and Hassan Rabieian serves as the observer.

Among the prominent Quran experts serving in the panel are Amir Aqaei, Mohammad Hossein Saeidian, Mohammad Reza Pourzargari, Mohammad Reza Abolqassemi, and Mohsen Yarahmadi.

The final round of the competition will be held in the central city of Arak in October.