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(SDN) April 19, 2024 — Ustadhz Saidi Saiduna of General Santos City, SOCCSKSARGEN (Region XII), won for an amazing third successive time the prestigious National Qur’an Reading Competition (NQRC).
For this year’s 49th NQRC, the Maguindanaon native is the double defending champion, having taken the crown in the 2022 and 2023 editions of the event.
In the female category, CARAGA (Cotabato) Region’s Raihana G. Ambangala bested 15 other participants to win the national championship.
Headed by NCMF Secretary/CEO Sabuddin N. Abdurahim, the Commission organized and hosted the Islamic event through its Bureau of Muslim Cultural Affairs (BMCA). The NQRC is one of the agency’s yearly major programs.
In his speech at the event on April 18 at the Bahay ng Alumni, University of the Philippines Diliman (UPD), Quezon City, Metro Manila, the NCMF head cited the importance of the Qur’an in the life of Islam believers.
He said the Muslim Holy Book is “our guide as we navigate through our worldly affairs.”
“We will not go astray,” Abdurahim emphasized, if “we only live by the words of the Qur’an.”
Saying the Qur’an offers not only guidance but also comfort, the NCMF secretary wished that the NQRC strengthen Muslims’ connection with the Holy Book…and ultimately guide them to righteousness and unity.
Islamic religious leaders said the Qur’an is a guide for Muslims’ personal lives as well as the life of the community and society.
Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin “Benhur” C. Abalos, Jr. was the guest speaker at the 49th NQRC.
Among his supportive statements, he noted that for Muslim Filipinos, “the Qur’an is the direct word of God.”
Winners to represent Philippines in international competitions
In his earlier message for the event, he extended the “DILG’s commitment, through the NCMF and the (BMCA), to partake in preserving the Islamic faith and heritage by supporting advocacies and programs that cultivate Moro communities in service of the general welfare of all Filipino-Muslims.”
Abalos, surely a senatorial material as some observers say, noted how the country is buffeted by numerous challenges and adversities. “Thus, there is a need to draw from the wisdom of the Qur’an in our pursuit of lasting peace and prosperity, not only for us but for our children as well,” the DILG chief said.
In a report from Dr. Dimapuno Alonto Datu-Ramos, regional director of the NCMF-National Capital Region (NCR), he said Saiduna and Ambangala emerged champions, winning over 34 challengers from the country’s various regions.
He said in the male category, Jassim Hadji Daud (Lanao del Norte) took second place, Kamaruddin Saidon representing the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) placed third; in the female bracket, second place is Monaifa Alawi of CARAGA, and Sabaha Salik, the defending champion from General Santos City, took third place honors.
Here are the prizes for the champions and the second and third place winners, with the understanding that each of the six placers has the chance to represent the Philippines in similar Qur’anic competitions abroad.
For both male and female categories, the champions received Php25,000; second, Php20,000; third, Php20,000, and trophy for each of them.
Saiduna and Ambangala will be competing as official Philippine representatives in Malaysia’s 2024 International Qur’an Reciters Assembly (IQRA).
Meanwhile, Abdurahim took advantage of the occasion to publicly thanked President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. for appointing him to the NCMF.
He did not forget either to send his thanks to the BARMM provincial chief executives who recommended him to the President.
They are Governors Yshmael “Mang” Sali (Tawi-Tawi); Abdusakur Tan (Sulu); Jim S. Hataman (Basilan); Mamintal A. Adiong, Jr. (Lanao del Sur); Bai Mariam S. Mangudadatu (Maguindanao del Sur); and Abduraof Macacua (Maguindanao del Norte). (/)