Marawi, Maguindanao top in 1st ARMM Qur'an reading competition

Marawi City’s male contender, Jaber Noor, and Maguindanao’s female contender, Suraidah Ampatuan, emerged as Champions in the 1st ARMM Regional Qur’an Reading Competition held on May 30, 2006 at the Municipality of Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao.

The competition was a joint undertaking of the ARMM Regional Government thru the Bureau on Cultural Heritage (BCH) and the Provincial Government of Maguindanao and the Municipality of Shariff Aguak.

Each of the component provinces of the ARMM including the City of Marawi sent in a pair of contender, a male and a female, to the competition.

Based on the criteria for judging, Noor garnered an overall point of 97.15% while Ampatuan managed to earn 96.15%. The two were closely followed by 1st runner-ups Lahmudin Makabuat of Maguindanao with 96.45% and Zainab Hanafe of Lanao del Sur with 94.70%. Second runner-ups were Majeed Ahmad of Lanao del Sur with 94.70% and Warda Alang of Marawi City with 93.80%. Nurhadi Dasan of Basilan and Hasma Hassan of Tawi-Tawi landed in the 3rd runner-up with 93.60% and 91.40% respectively.

The pair from Sulu, Benmunir Arip and Hurinnur Kisri, ended in the 4th runner-up with 88.55% and 88.25% respectively. Fifth runner-ups were Omar Muktar Burugan of Tawi-Tawi with 87.85% and Aima Nawawi of Basilan with 85.65%. Each of the two champions received a trophy and cash worth P60, 000.00.The cash prize was originally placed at P10, 000.00.

Maguindanao Governor Datu Andal S. Ampatuan, Sr. was enthralled by participants and turn-out of the event that he decided to provide an additional P100, 000.00 to the would-be champions of the competitions.

“I earnestly believe that activities such as this which undoubtedly contributes to the personal and spiritual growth and wellbeing of us Muslims will have beneficial impact in the establishment of a better and progressive society in the region,” Governor Ampatuan said.

During the celebration of the Shariff Kabunsuan Festival late last year the BCH have successfully organized a Qur’an reading exhibition that was participated in by national champions in Qur’an reading.

BCH-ARMM Executive Director Haron Felmin said that their office will lobby for the passing of a regional legislation which will mandate the conduct of a regional Qur’an reading competition annually and possibly declare May 30 as the regular date for holding it.

“We want to pursue activities that will be instrumental in the preservation and promotion of our important religious and cultural practices,” says Felmin.

ARMM Regional Governor Datu Zaldy Uy Ampatuan said that their efforts to implement programs and projects that focus not just on the social and economic aspects but also place due to importance to religious development should motivate constituents to be more supportive to the autonomous regional government. (BPI-ARMM)