MBHTE BARMM Madaris Education successfully conducted the 4th BARMM Quran Recitation and Memorization competition

COTABATO CITY (April 8, 2024) – The 4th BARMM Quran Recitation and Memorization Competition was successfully held, organized by the Ministry of Basic, Higher, and Technical Education through the Directorate General for Madaris Education (DGME), in partnership with the Bangsamoro Darul Ifta (BDI) and Wali of Bangsamoro (OWB) which was live streamed at Bangsamoro Multimedia Network-BMN, also with the Education’s social media Facebook page, and DXJC 92.1 Mhz Voice Fm Cotabato conducted at Shariff Kabunsuan Cultural Complex, Bangsamoro Government Center on April 4-5, 2024, with the culmination program on April 6, at the Ebrahim Hall, Em-Manor and Convention Hotel, Cotabato City.

Directorate General for Madaris Education Tahir G. Nalg, MAIS said that this yearly competition was sponsored by the Office of Chief Minister Ahod B. Ebrahim and aimed at encouraging and strengthening the practice of Quran reading in the Bangsamoro region and everyday life.

“We believe that the holy Qur’an is not only a religious book that many of us, even us Muslims think and perceive but this holy Quran is no less than a code of life, it’s a complete book that deals with all aspects of human life,” said Director General Nalg, emphasizing that Muslims is so blessed of having this book.

The OIC Wali of the Bangsamoro Omarkhalid Ampatuan said that the event showcases the remarkable talent and dedication of participants and the heartfelt love and reverence we hold in the Qur’an.

“This competition is not just a showcase of skills and talents but the celebration of our faith and devotion to the glorious Qur’an an opportunity for us to come together as a community and honor the beauty and power of its verses. Through recitation and memorization, we deeply engage with the Qur’an, embracing its teachings and internalizing its messages,” he pointed out.

MBHTE Minister Mohagher Iqbal said, “Qur’an anan na dili mapakay a yatanu kelay lun na religious point of view bu, kagina nan na kumpletu kagina su Qur’an na namba e basis nu Islam na agama, kang-goberno endu atulan nu uyag-uyag nu Tao a Muslim, (The Qur’an couldn’t only seen merely us religious point of view because Qur’an is the basis of Islam, it is religion, governance and guidance of the life of Muslims).

Minister Iqbal message also reiterated by BARMM Chief Minister Ahod “Alhaj Murad” B. Ebrahim, “Siya sa kano agama Islam, na … nambuba i-reference na su Qur’an. Amengka ilayn no na Qur’an anya na daden na benal ma bago, da masalin, da ngen na umbayan,” (In Islam, … our only reference is the Qur’an. If we look at the Qur’an, it has been never renewed, never change, and there has no revision on it).

As host City, Hadji Abdullah Andang represented the Cotabato City Mayor Mohammad Ali “Bruce” Matabalao in said competition and welcomed the participants. Member of Parliament Shiekh Ebrahim Ali, and former MP Datu Midpantao Midtimbang also graced the competition in the opening program.

During the last day of the program, Chief Minister Ebrahim also graced the activity and highlighted the significance of the competition, stating, “Su langon sekano pegkamal kano niya Qur’anic Memorization Competition, ipeg congratulate nami sekano umpungan na Moro Islamic Liberation Front, su gobyerno tano Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao kano niya na a kina pimikir no sa katalus o niya a mga programa” (We congratulate all of you for this Quranic Memorization Competition, starting from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, and the government of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, for their proactive involvement and resolute support to this program).

Madaris Education Director General Nalg said that the participants from the 11 school divisions showcased their exceptional talent in the competition. “As a testament to their skills, the champions will be awarded 100,000 pesos, the first placers will receive 75,000 pesos, the second placers will be granted 50,000 pesos, and the consolation prize winners will receive 10,000 pesos,” he added.

Governor Abdulraof “Gob Sam” Macacua of Maguindanao del Norte who is also very supportive of the program, gave additional monetary awards to the winners. The champions, first placers, and second placers received an extra 25,000 pesos, while the consolation prize winners will receive an additional 5,000 pesos. The good Governor also gave 25 kilos of rice to all the participants who attended the closing ceremony.

Meanwhile, In the inspiring words of Minister Iqbal, said, “Yung hindi nanalo hindi ko tatawaging natalo kayo, kasi lahat kayo ay nanalo,” (I will not call those who didn’t win as losers, because all of you are winners).

The Madaris Education announced that the winners in each category are as follows:
For Qiraat Mujawwadah (Quran recitation): Champion: Kamarudin G. Zaidon – Defending Champion from Cotabato City, 1st Placer: Kaharudin U. Tasil – Maguindanao del Norte, 2nd Placer: Abdullah M. Gandisa – Cotabato City.

For Hifdz Al-Quran (Quran memorization) Male Category: Champion: Usama Ebrahim Abdullah – Maguindanao del Sur, 1st Placer: Al-Kaidz Pantao Jalil – Lamitan City, and 2nd Placer: Abdulmohaimen Esmail Ali – Maguindanao del Norte

For Hifdz Al-Quran (Quran memorization) Female Category: Champion: Faidza Hamza Talib – Marawi City, 1st Placer: Zaheera Daniel Lucas – Cotabato City, and 2nd Placer: Rawda Adil Lahmudin – Lanao del Sur I.

The Mujawwadah category champion, Kamarudin G. Zaidon, the orga izer said that it will represent the Bangsamoro Region in the National Quran Reading Competition on April 18, 2024, to be held Manila. (Tu Alid Alfonso, BMN/BangsamoroToday)