KUALA LUMPUR: Bahraini qari (male reciter) Mohamed Sameer Mohamed Magahed and Malaysian qariah (female reciter) Sofizah Mousin, were crowned champions of their respective categories at the 62nd International Al-Quran Recitation and Memorisation Assembly (MTHQA) on Monday (Oct 24) night.

In the event held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, Mohamed Sameer scored 93.33% while Sofizah scored 89.66%, with each taking home a cash prize and a trophy.

The Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah presented the prizes to the winning qaris, while the Permaisuri Agong Tunku Hajah Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah presented them to winners in the female category.

Malaysian representative Aiman ​​Ridhwan Mohamad Ramlan emerged runner-up in the male category with a score of 88.83%, while third place went to Indonesia’s Muhammad Rizqon (88.34%).

Widadul Wahidah Mahamod from Singapore emerged as the runner-up in the female category (87.50%) and third place was won by Indonesia’s Yuni Wulandari Hasim (87.49%). All second and third placed participants also received a cash prize and trophy.

Also present at the event were Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Idris Ahmad.

The assembly was held over six days from Wednesday (Oct 19), involving a total of 36 participants from 28 countries.

The prestigious competition was held after a two-year break due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Only the recitation category was contested this time, with the memorisation category expected to return next year. – Bernama