Photo by Comenei Ali/BIO
COTABATO CITY—Bangsamoro Government honored sixty-five (65) Bangsamoro individuals from across the BARMM region last May 17 for their exceptional achievements in representing the Philippines in various international Qur’an competitions since 1969, bringing pride and honor to their homeland.
The recognition was granted in accordance with the amended Resolution of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA), which aims to acknowledge the outstanding performance of Bangsamoro Qur’an reciters and memorizers in international competitions over the past decades.
BARMM Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim expressed the significance of the occasion, highlighting the appreciation of the Bangsamoro Government for the efforts of all Qur’an reciters and readers who have excelled in spreading the word of Allah across the globe.
“Your remarkable achievements deserve recognition, and it is our duty to confer upon you the distinctions and incentives you have earned,” stated Chief Minister Ebrahim, who also shared a personal connection to the Qur’an as his first book read at the age of five.
The chief minister hoped that this recognition would serve as an inspiring example for all Bangsamoro and people worldwide, emphasizing that the rewards for reading and reciting the Qur’an extend beyond this world and into the hereafter.
The top-ranked individual received generous rewards totaling more than Php17 million, including a gift certificate and cash check worth Php300,000.00 for the first place, Php200,000.00 for the second place, and Php100,000.00 for the third place.
In a message read by Ambassador of Malaysia to the Republic of the Philippines, Honorable Amaluzaman Bin Mohammad Asarani, His Excellency Dato’ Abdul Malik Melvin Castelino Anthony congratulated all 65 top-ranked Bangsamoro Qur’an reciters and memorizers, commending their hard work and dedication.
“On behalf of the Embassy of Malaysia and the Malaysian government, we are fully committed to continuing our support for the development of the Bangsamoro people and emphasizing that education is the key to progress,” the Malaysian official said.
Honorable Speaker of the BTA Parliament Atty. Pangalian Balindong also expressed pride in the accomplishments of the Bangsamoro Qur’an readers, recognizing them as the finest in the world and representatives of both the Bangsamoro region and the Filipino nation.
Furthermore, the Bangsamoro Commission for the Preservation of Cultural Heritage (BCPCH) Chairperson Salem Lingasa described the event as monumental and historic as it is the first time in the region’s and the country’s history that such high regard has been given to the top-ranked Bangsamoro Qur’an reciters and memorizers in international competitions.
“They have brought honor to our homeland and excelled internationally, despite the challenges posed by social, political, security, and economic situations resulting from the long decades of conflict during the early stages of the Bangsamoro armed struggle for self-determination,” expressed Lingasa.
The recognition of Bangsamoro Qur’an reciters and memorizers was made possible through the collaborative efforts of several organizations and entities, including the BCPCH, Office of Wali, Bangsamoro Darul Ifta, Hay-at Al Ulama of the Philippines, Directorate for Madaris Education, Committee on Da’wah and Masajid Affairs, Committee on Noble Qur’an-Tarbiyyah Sub-Committee, Office of the Chief Minister, BTA Parliament, Office of the Secretary-General, Holy Qur’an Affairs Organization of the Philippines, National Commission on Muslim Affairs, Union of Muslim Youth Organization, and Bangsamoro Youth Commission, in collaboration with the Ambassadors of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Bangladesh, and Malaysia to the Philippines. (Kasan Usop, Jr./BIO)
