By Jerry E. Esplanada
Philippine Daily Inquirer First Posted 09:14:00 08/13/2010
MANILA, Philippines—Two Filipino Koran readers placed third in the men's and women's categories of the 52nd International Al-Quran Recital Assembly in Malaysia, the Philippine Embassy in Kuala Lumpur reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs.
The two, Abdul Wadoud Esmail and Monaifah Bogabong Alawi, each took home 13,300 Malaysian ringgit, equivalent to $4,150.
The contestant from Egypt topped the men's division, followed by the one from Malaysia. The readers from Iran and Brunei came in fourth and fifth, respectively.
In the women's category, Pakistan placed first, followed by Brunei. Host Malaysia and Indonesia took fourth and fifth places.
A total of 49 readers took part in the men's category while 23 competed in the women's division.
Malaysian King Mizan Zainal Abidin presented the cash awards to the six winners.
The contest was held early this week at Dewan Merdeka, Putra World Trade Center, in Kuala Lumpur.
http://globalnation.inquirer.net/news/breakingnews/view/20100813-286545/Filipinos-3rd-in-Koran-reading-contest-in-KL
