Reciters From Iran, Indonesia Winners Of 57th International Quran Recital Assembly

KUALA LUMPUR, June 15 (Bernama) -- Iranian reciter Mohsen Hassani Kargar (right) and Indonesian Asrina Asril Buyong were the winners of the 57th International Quran Recital Assembly held at the Putra World Trade Centre here Sunday night. They each received a gold bar worth US$18,617 (RM70,000) sponsored by the Foundation for Islamic Development Malaysia (YaPEIM), a challenge trophy and cash of US$10,638 (RM40,000). In the men's category, Mohsen, a first-time participant of the assembly, garnered 91.8 marks while Asrina got 91.6. Second place was won by Wan Ainuddin Hilmi Abdullah from Malaysia with 91.4 marks and third was Numan Makasugat Pimbayaba from the Philippines with 91 marks. In the women's category, Rahima Panondionga Amerol of the Phlippines won second place with 88.4 marks while Malaysian Siti Husnaa Hassan who collected 87 marks was third. The prizes were presented by Ruler of Malaysia's east coast state, Kelantan, Sultan Muhammad V (left), who is also the Deputy Malaysian King. Also present was Prime Minister Najib Razak (centre). The assembly which was opened by Malaysian King Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah on June 9 with the theme "Unity the Pulse of Transformation" saw the participation of 70 reciters from 56 nations, with 38 in the recital category and 32 in the memorising category. The contestants were judged by 15 professional judges including from Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei and Thailand. Meanwhile, in the memorising category which was introduced last year, Qatar contestant Abdul Aziz Abdullah Ali Al-Hamri emerged winner among the men contestants with 97.6 marks while Malaysia's Farihah Zulkifli won in the women's category with 89.5 marks. They each received a gold bar worth US$5,327 (RM20,000) sponsored by YaPEIM, cash prize of US$5,327, a souvenir and challenge trophy. First runner-up in the men's category was Othman Yasef Jazaa Fahad Al-Shalan from Kuwait (96 marks) while third place went to Aboulhassen Yahia from Tunisia (92.8 marks). The second place in the women's category went to Raghiye Beyah from Mauritania with 89.4 marks while Tunisian contestant, Mariem Makhlouf won third place (88.3 marks). Meanwhile, when met after the prize presentation ceremony, Mohsen, 26, said Malaysia was one of the best countries for hosting the Al-Quran assembly. For Asrina, 35, an officer in the Religious Department in Indonesia, she described her victory as a gift from Allah for her deep interest in the Quran. Farihah, 20, a fifth-semester student in Quran Studies, Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim), described her victory as blessings for her despite the strong competition from the other contestants. (photoBERNAMA) --BERNAMA