Champions and runners-up of the 50th National Qur’an Reading Competition (NQRC) 2025: Male: Samsudin D. Abdulsamad — 97.8%; Jassim B. Hadji Daud — 95.38%; Sadhan A. Zacaria — 95.08%; Arman Edres — 94.51%; Female: Sabaha P. Salik — 97.84%; Raihana Ambangala — 96.19%; Halima B. Dalundong — 95.25%; Norhata B. Laolao, 95.23%

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• EDD K. USMAN | X (Twitter): @edd1819 | Instagram: @bluestar0910 |Facebook: SDN – SciTech & Digital News

PASAY CITY, April 29, 2025 (SDN) — The National Qur’an Reading Competition (NQRC) today, Tuesday, April 29, has achieved a milestone — a golden anniversary.

And its significance was not lost on President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. and officials of the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF), as they hailed the 50 years of historic achievement in the promotion, preservation, and enhancement of the country’s Islamic heritage, thereby helping in nation building.

The President noted what brings unity to a nation of diverse people and cultures.

“Let this gathering remind us of what truly binds a nation — not uniformity but shared reverence; not noise, but the collective resonance of truth spoken with grace throughout generations. As we march together towards a Bagong Pilipinas (New Philippines), may we be humbled by the constancy of those who keep this sacred memory alive, and may we learn to listen earnestly,” the President says.

Marcos sent his message for the 50th NQRC held at the SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City, Metro Manila, through the NCMF headed by Secretary Sabuddin N. Abudrahim.

The national government institutionalized the Qur’an reading competition which is held nationwide every year as part of the government’s peace initiatives with the country’s Muslims, as the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and, later, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) both fought for self-determination — more correctly for an independent Mindanao.

Both Moro Fronts later scaled down their demands to regional autonomy, abandoning their pursuit of an independent Islamic country.

It can be recalled the national government through the Southern Philippines Development Authority (SPDA) started the holding of Qur’an-focused competitions in 1976, which carried on through four other government agencies, the last two — 5th and 6th — being the defunct Office of Muslim Affairs (OMA) and the NCMF which was established in 2010.

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“Indeed, with this act, we preserve language, faith, and culture while fostering remembrance among the very youth who will carry them into the future.”

“This day today, we are not just holding any ordinary event. We are gathered here for the 50th National Qur’an Reading Competition — 50 years of earnest promotion of the importance of the Holy Qur’an in the life of every Muslim Filipino,” Abdurahim, in Filipino and English, emphasizes, noting the significance of this year’s edition of the Islamic event.

The NCMF secretary also took note of the venue, the expansive SMX Convention Center of Mall of Asia, more popularly known as MOA.

“What makes this year even more special is that we are holding this competition in a larger, more comfortable venue — a reflection of how far we have come. From the simple spaces (before), we here now here in a prominent event space. We did this for you, for the participants, and for all those who yearn to feel the importance of this activity,” Abdurahim says.

In relation with the golden jubilee, NCMF Commissioner Michael M. Mamukid enjoyed being present in the 50th edition of the NQRC and able to savor the ambiance, listen to the Qur’an readers because this period comes only once.

“I am glad to be here, and it warms the heart to be here, with fellow government officials, friends and new acquaintances, and the guests from many parts of the National Capital Region,” Mamukid points out. “There’s not going to be a second golden edition.”

Abdurahim said this year’s theme, Al-Qur’an: Guide for Peace and Tolerance, is timely, what with the restlessness in the world amid conflicts, discrimination, and division, adding the Qur’an is a silent reminder that true peace lies in the heart, that tolerance is not weakness but the strength of faith, and that respect for diversity is a blessing, not an obstacle.

The President said the 50th NQRC under the NCMF’s leadership “stands as shining example reminder of the poetic beauty of the verses of the Qur’an and the universal wisdom it contains. In every recitation, we preserve a sacred tradition — spoken with melody, held with grace, and offered with reverence.

“Indeed, with this act, we preserve language, faith, and culture while fostering remembrance among the very youth who will carry them into the future.”

For this year’s, edition, according to the Bureau of Muslim Cultural Affairs (BMCA) headed by Director Benrajiv J. Kashim, the NCMF bureau that handles, organizes, and manages the NQRC, here are the champions and the three runners-up:

Male — 

• Champion: Samsudin D. Abdulsamad, 97.8%
• 1st Runner-Up: Jassim B. Hadji Daud, 95.38%
• 2nd Runner-Up: Sadhan A. Zacaria, 95.08%
• 3rd Runner-Up: Arman Edres, 94.51%

Female — 

• Champion: Sabaha P. Salik, 97.84%
• 1st Runner-Up: Raihana Ambangala, 96.19%
• 2nd Runner-Up: Halima B. Dalundong, 95.25%
• 3rd Runner-Up: Norhata B. Laolao, 95.23%

Each of the two champions received Php100, 000; Php50,000 each for the two 1st Runners-Up; and Php25,000 each for the two 2nd Runners-Up.

Abdulsamad bested 16 other regional champions, while Salik went past 17 Qur’an readers who were regional champions also. Salik and Ambangala were defending champions this year.

The champions earned the right and privilege of representing the Philippines in related international competitions focused on either reading or reciting the verses from the Qur’an, the Muslim Holy Book.

They also act as unofficial ambassadors of goodwill for the Philippines as they meet and renew and strengthen ties with participants from other countries. (/)

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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. (@)