Tuesday, April 17, 2007 OMA hosts Socsksargen Qur'an reading contest
THE Office on Muslim Affairs-Socsksargen Field Office hosts the 5th Socsksargen Qur'an Reading Competition slated Monday at the Family Country Hotel and Convention Center in General Santos City.
The competition aims to raise awareness to the Muslim communities the significance of reading the Qur'an, Islam's holy scripture, which serves as guide to every Muslim's day to day affairs in religious, social and economic aspects.
Muslims believe that oral recitation of this holy book as the believer's direct contact to the word of God. The Holy Qur'an, which was revealed to Prophet Mohammad, for the Muslims is the very word of the Almighty.
Fourteen contestants, adult male and female Muslims from General Santos City and the provinces of South Cotabato and Sarangani will vie for the title -- the champion will represent the region to the 33rd National Qur'an Reading Competition to be held in Cotabato City on June 18-20.
Trophies and cash prizes await regional winners. The top three winners in the national competition will represent the country in the international Qur''n reading competitions held every year in Malaysia, Iran, Dubai and other Middle Eastern Countries giving them the chance to win up to P200,000 and be recognized as one of the world's best in reciting the Holy Qur'an.
The City Government General Santos, the Muslim Women Organization of GenSan, the Young Moro Professionals Council, Sogoda Buayan Royal House, Muslim Business Forum and Ustadzes, support the competition.
Lawyer Guialil Kanda, OMA field director, said the competition is the reiteration of the policy of promoting, preserving and enhancing Muslim cultural heritage.
"It also serves as vehicle in promoting peace and enriching our diplomatic relations with Islamic states," he pointed out.
Malaysian Lt. Col. Abubacar bin AbdMalek, team leader of the International Monitoring Team in Socsksargen, is invited as the guest speaker. The IMT, comprised of representatives from Libya, Malaysia, Brunei and Japan, is monitoring the implementation of the ceasefire agreed by the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. (JCK)
