Quran Competition Concludes in Malaysia’s Sabah State; School Teachers Bag Top Prizes
Champion for the male category, Hamdi Yusof, 27, who teaches at Sekolah Agama Papar, said this is the second time he has received the award after winning the same category last year since taking part in the competition in 2015.
Hamdi, the eldest of five siblings, said he did not allocate any specific time to practice and only used the time while driving in his car to perfect his recitation.
"I started learning to read the Quran informally from my late father and later to improve my recitation skills and learn more on the rules and methods of reading, I sought the help of Quran and Tajweed tutors either online or directly," he said when met by reporters after the closing and prize presentation ceremony Friday.
Sabah Yang Dipertua Negeri, Tun Juhar Mahiruddin gave away the prizes. Also present were his wife Toh Puan Norlidah R.M Jasni, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor and Sabah Cabinet ministers.
The women's category winner, Nabilah Syafawati Safari, 27, a teacher at Sekolah Kebangsaan Tetagas Nabawan, said her father, who was the men's category champion in 1996, taught her to read the Quran.
Nabilah Syafawati said that apart from her father, she also received the guidance of a former champion at the international level Quran Recital Assembly, Muhammad Anuar Ghazali.
"I did not expect to win. I only targeted a consolation prize as I am still weak in my recitation," said Nabilah Syafawati who has been a participant since 2014.
Both champions received a cash prize of RM10,000, a trophy, a certificate of appreciation, an umrah travel package donated by Sabah Baitulmal Corporation, a watch donated by the Sabah State Secretary's Office, a set of clothing from Jakim and a souvenir donated by the Sabah Islamic Affairs Department (JHEAINS).
Meanwhile, in the memorization competition, the men's category winner was Muhammad Iman Izzuddin Jamaludin, 21, who is visually impaired, while the women's category winner was Nur Alia Rafidah Supu, 20.
They will each receive a cash prize of RM 7,000, a trophy, a certificate, a watch donated by SESB, a set of clothing donated by Jakim and a souvenir from JHEAINS.
Source: nst.com.my
