Filipinos bag top awards in reading competition in Brunei

MANILA, Philippines - Two Filipino contestants were awarded the top prizes by His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah for winning in the 7th Southeast Asian Youth Al-Quran Reading Competition held from September 15 to 17 at the International Convention Center, Brunei Darussalam.

Raihana G. Ambangala, a 19-year-old student from Guindulungan, Maguindanao, won the first place of the Qariah Category among nine participants from the region.  She received from His Majesty The Sultan BD5,000, a certificate and a trophy.

In addition, Kamaruddin G. Zaidon, 24 years old from Sultan Kudarat, won the second place of the Qari Category among 10 contestants. He received BD4,000, a certificate and a trophy.

This is the first time that the championship was bagged by a Filipino contestant since the inception of the competition in 2000.

The Filipino winners dedicated their success to the Filipino Muslims. They said that they want to inspire the Filipino Muslim youth to read the Al-Quran.    

Philippine Ambassador to Brunei Darussalam Meynardo LB. Montealegre awarded certificates of commendation to the winners during a luncheon in their honor at the ambassador’s residence on September 18. 

Brunei Darussalam started the biennial Al-Quran reading contest in 2000 to encourage friendship and cooperation among the Muslim youth in the Southeast Asian region.