Qur’an readers representing NCMF-General Santos City — Ustadhz Saidi D. Saiduna — and NCMF-CARAGA — Ustadhza Monaifah A. Alawi — emerged champions in the 2022 47th National Qur’an Reading Competition
By EDD K. USMAN | @edd1819 | @bluestar0910 | SDN — Science and Digital News
Short link: https://wp.me/paaccn-hcK
(SDN) — Representatives of National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF)-CARAGA and NCMF-General Santos City are the champions of the 47th National Qur’an Reading Competition (NQRC) held on Tuesday, March 15, 2022.
Contestant No. 32 Ustadhza Monaifah A. Alawi, of NCMF-CARAGA, emerged first place winner in the Female Category, beating 17 others in her group. Her 96.32 percent topped her rivals’ scores.
“CARAGA” Region is made up of the provinces of Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Dinagat Island, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur; the six cities of Butuan, Cabadbaran, Bayugan, Surigao, Tandag, and and Bislig; and 67 municipalities and 1,308 barangays.
For the Male Category, Contestant No. 15 Ustadhz Saidi D. Saiduna, of NCMF-General Santos City, topped his group with his 96.69 percent score. He beat 18 readers.
Prizes from the NCMF now headed by Secretary Guiling “Gene” A. Mamondiong are, champion, Php25,000 in cash; Second Place, Php20,000; and Third Place, Php15,000.
Ustadhz Sadhan A. Zacaria, 95.48 percent, of the NCMF-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), and Ustadhz Saad S. Daud, No. 25, Visayas, 95 percent, took Second Place and Third Place, respectively, Male Category.
For the Female Category, Ustadhza Sabaha P. Salik,95.73 percent, NCMF-General Santos City, and Ustadhza Jamelah A. Didagun, 95.36 percent, NCMF-Lanao del Norte, got the Second Place and Third Place, respectively.
The top three winners in each category will receive a Plaque of Appreciation for their participation, as well as gifts from the Royal Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, such as copies of the Glorious Qur’an, and boxes of premium special dates.
All the other contestants will receive Php5,000 each.
The Bureau of Muslim Cultural Affairs (BMCA) relayed this to SDN — Science and Digital News, saying the annual NQRC was not held in 2021 because of coronavirus pandemic that disrupted every aspect of global life.
Winners will also be representing the Philippines in international Qur’an reading competitions once host countries will resume their respective events that serve to renew and promote stronger ties between the Philippines and the other host countries, as well as closer relationship among participants.
In 2021 the NCMF did not conduct the NQRC because of the coronavirus pandemic that swept across the world.
The NCMF- BMCA headed by Director Laman M. Piang, CESO IV, put a limit to the number of guests in compliance with prevailing health protocols due to the pandemic.
On the other hand, NCMF officials from the Commission’s regional offices across the country led their respective delegations.
Among them are NCMF-North Luzon Regional Directors Atty. Bai Raihanah Sarah T. Macarimpas; Ceasar M. Maranda, NCMF-South Luzon; Mito-on M. Ibra, NCMF-National Capital Region, etc.
NCMF Commissioners present include Michael M. Mamukid, Samer H. Along, Datu Ras S. Lidasan, Jr., among others.
NCMF-Provincial Directors who led their delegation at the event included Princess Almerah D. Lucman (Lanao del Norte), Hadja Aida P. Seddic (General Santos City), whose group emerged with the champion (Saiduna) and and Second Place Ustadhza Salik.
The NCMF, which replaced the defunct Office on Muslim Affairs (OMA), emphasized that the Qur’an reading competition’s institutionalization in the Philippines reiterates the National Government’s policy that promotes, preserves, and enhances Muslim Filipinos’ Islamic heritage.
“Long before, reading of the verses of the Holy Qur’an has been an integral part of Muslims’ way of life all over the world,” the NCMF said, adding it’s every Islam believer’s duty.
A medium to refresh the reader’s and listeners’ mind and heart with the words of Allah (God in Arabic), reading the Qur’an “serves as the vehicle in enhancing the country’s international image and in enrichment of Philippine diplomatic relations with different countries of the world, especially the Islamic states.”
In the Philippines the competition is held from the levels of the municipality, district, provincial, regional, and culminating with national every year.
The defunct Southern Philippines Development Authority (SPDA) started the first Qur’anic contest in 1976, transferred to OMA, now with NCMF.
In the 47th NQRC the NCMF adopted the theme, “Embracing the Trials,” apparently referencing ro this time’s health crisis due to the onslaught of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.
The theme encapsulates words from the Muslim Holy Book, which say:
“Allah intends for you ease, and He does not want to make things difficult for you.” (Qur’an Surah 2, Verse 185) — (✓)