05 July 2013 – Three Filipino Muslims are competing at the 55th International Al-Qur’an Reciters’ Assembly which is being held from 29 June to 06 July 2013 at Merdeka Hall, Putra World Trade Center in Kuala Lumpur.

The contestants are Male Reader (Qari) Ustadz Numan M. Pimbayabaya of Cotabato, Female Reader (Qari’ah) Ustadza Nurjariya I. Pantao of Zamboanga and Female Reader Escort Sawia N. Punut of Lanao Del Sur.

A total of 72 contestants are participating from 42 countries comprising of 42 Qari (male reciters) and 30 Qariah (female reciters).

They are accompanied by National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) officials Commissioner Salem C. Demuna and Director Masideng M. Salic, among others.

Embassy Attachés Mustapha H. Lucman and Shamina Saidamen and intern Kimberly Gamez are assisting them, and attended the competition.

The International Qur’an Reading Competion or Tilawah Al-Quran is an International Islamic Quran reading event held annually since 1961 in Malaysia. Malaysia’s First Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman founded the competition. It started on 9 March 1961 at Stadium Merdeka, and the seven original countries which took part were Singapore, Brunei, Thailand, Philippines, Indonesia, Sarawak and then Malaya.

The Sultan of Kelantan, Sultan Muhammad V and Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin officiated the opening ceremony last 29 June.

Minister Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom of the Prime Minister’s Department announced that the prizes will be a 350gm gold bar worth RM70,000, cash of RM40,000, trophy, token and certificate.
Finals will be on 6 July, Saturday. END