PRESIDENT HOPES QURAN MEMOPRIZING COMPETITION STRENGTHENS MUSLIM TIES

Jakarta, Dec 30 (ANTARA) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono expressed hope that the Amir Sultan ibn Abdul Aziz Alu Suud Quran and Hadith memorizing competition at Asean level would strengthen Muslims brotherhood around the world, especially in the Asian region.

The president made statement when receiving participants of the Asean level Quran and Hadith memorizing competition at the State Palace here on Tuesday.

Hadith is the chief source of guidance for understanding Islamic questions and collection of stories relating to the words or deeds of the Prophet Muhammad SAW (Peace be upon Him).

The president said that the Islamic younger generation particularly from Southeast Asia through the Quran and Hadith memorizing competition can meet one another, exchange views and strengthen their relations.

The Quran and Hadith memorizing competition is an annual event which has been held since 2008 and this year's event is participated in by at least 115 competitors from eight Asean member countries and three Asian nations.

The Quran and Hadith competition or Musabaqah was held on December 26-28 at the At-Tawhid Arief Rahman Hakim mosque, University of Indonesia.

The 115 participants of the competition came from Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, Brunei Darussalam, Singapore, Cambodia, Myanmar, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan.

Meanwhile, representatives of Islamic institution observers came from Hong Kong, South Korea, China, Timor Leste or East Timor and Suriname.

The meeting with the president was also attended by two Imams (leaders of communal prayers and preachers) of the Haram Mosque in Mecca, Abdur-Rahman bin Abdul Aziz Al-Sudais and Abdul Muhsin Al Qasim of the Medina Prophet Muhammad mosque.

On the occasion, the President also said that Islam actually teaches universal human values among others teaches all Muslims to live side by side in peace with one another.

Yudhoyono on the occasion told the Saudi Arabian media that apart from the Musabaqah, Muslims in the Asean region also cooperate in various fields such as education, culture, arts and other activities outside religion to foster unity.

The gathering was also attended by Religious Affairs Minister Suryadharma Ali.