The 17th round of Kuwait\'s Grand Quran Memorization and Recitation Competition, held under the patronage of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, kicked off Monday evening. The contest, organized by the General Secretariat of Kuwait Public Awqaf Foundation, was launched in a big ceremony attended by a galaxy of Quran and Islamic studies scholars and several officials. During the ceremony, foundation Secretary General Abdulmohsen Al-Kharafi said that 33 government and affiliate bodies have nominated 2,596 people to join the competition. Only 1,761 people, including 909 children, reached the final stages, Al-Kharafi said. He pointed out the competition questions were chosen by computer to ensure fairness