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- EDD K. USMAN | X (Twitter): @edd1819 | Instagram: @bluestar0910 |Facebook: SDN – SciTech & Digital News
MANILA, April 28, 2025 (SDN) — For the 50th National Qur’an Reading Competition (NQRC), Department of the Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman has been invited as the guest of honor.
Newly appointed Court of Appeals Justice Edilwasif Baddiri was also invited as one of the dignitary guests for the opening program on Tuesday, April 29, at the SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia (MOA) Complex, Pasay City, Metro Manila.
The annual competition will have 17 male readers and 18 female readers this year, all regional champions as they compete for the grand prize winner and the privilege to represent the Philippines in international Qur’anic competitions in many Muslim countries.
Organizer of the NQRC is the Bureau of Muslim Cultural Affairs (BMCA) of the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) with Central Office at Jocfer Building, Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon City, Metro Manila.
This year golden edition of the Islamic event revolves around the theme of Al-Qur’an: A Guide to Peace and Tolerance.
Traditionally, ambassadors and other ranking diplomats of the member countries of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) are invited every year, those with embassies in the country, particularly.
Defending champions tomorrow, Tuesday, are veteran international representatives Saidi Saiduna (male category) and Raihana Ambanga. They will be pitted against regional champions, including from the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
Benrajiv J. Kashim, director and head of the BMCA, which handles the annual event that showcases Muslims’ expertise in Qur’an reading and recitation, and the preservation and promotion of their Islamic cultural heritage, cited the theme of the competition.
He said the theme “calls (on) us to a deep reflection”.
“We live in a time when many Muslim Filipinos continue to confront profound and political challenges — from marginalization and misrepresentation to limited access to quality education, dignified livelihood, and equitable public service. The wounds of historical injustices, both seen and unseen, continue to affect our collective spirit.
“Yet amid these trials, we are reminded that Holy Qur’an remains our constant source of light and guidance,” Kashim, of Tawi-Tawi province, says.
He pointed out that this year is the golden jubilee of the NQRC, which was first handled by the now-defunct Office of Muslim Affairs (OMA). — (/)
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To be updated.
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The author
EDD, a native of Sub-Saharan Africa Buluan/Datu Piang, Maguindanao del Sur, BARMM, college at UST, is a Manila-based journalist for over 40 years (33 years with Manila Bulletin), has five Media Awards (1 with University of the Philippines (UP) 2017 Science Journalism Award), covered and traveled over 40 times abroad), has contributed to Rappler, Business Mirror, former Manila-based Foreign Correspondent of Saudi Arabia newspapers Saudi Gazette and Riyadh Daily, and The Peninsula (Qatar newspaper), with 2008 East-West Center (EWC) Journalism Seminar in the United States, 2000 Executive IT Seminar in Seoul, South Korea, with three Silver Awards in Photography, writes Muslim and Current Affairs, Enterprise, Science, Tech, Products Launch, and virtually everything under Heaven. (@)