Qu’ran reading contest winners

DAVAO CITY — Participants from the Zamboanga Peninsula and Lanao emerged as the top winners in the 30th National Qu’ran Reading Competition held recently at the Davao Trade and Convention Center.

Thirty-five-year-old Suraida Ampatuan won over 12 female Qu’ran readers, while Lanao del Sur’s Abdul Jalil Amerol trounced his 11 rivals in the male category.

Adjudged second and third placers were Rayma Bangon (Lanao), 35, and Raida Manlangit (Cotabato), 36, respectively, in the female category, and Abdulwadood Malangas (Cotabato) and Hadji Ibrahim Mutahain (Basilan), respectively, in the male category.

Zamzamin Ampatuan, executive director of the Office of Muslim Affairs, said the winners will represent the country in international Qu’ran reading competitions, including the one held annually in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. — Edith Regalado