FILIPINO, JOHOREAN WIN QURAN READING COMPETITION

MELAKA, Malaysia, Aug 30 (Bernama) -- Numan Pimbayaya, 27, from the
Philippines and Suraya Abu Hasan, 39, from Malaysia's southern state of Johor
emerged winners at the inaugural Malay World Islamic World Quran Reading Competition
here Sunday night.

Numan beat 12 other contestants to lift the men's title while Suraya, a Quran
teacher, brushed aside 14 other contestants for the women's title.

The first runner-up in the men's category was southern state of Melaka's Azraie
Abdul Hak and the second runner-up, east coast state of Pahang's Zulhyimi
Mohamed.

Raziati Mohd Ali from east coast state of Terengganu was the first runner-up in
the women's category while Pahang's Siti Husna Hassan, the second runner-up.

Seven foreign male and nine female reciters in the competition were from the
Philippines, South Africa, Singapore, Thailand and China.

The winners received RM10,000 each (US$3,187.76), first runners-up RM7,000
(US$2,231.43) and third runners-up RM5,000 (US$1,593.88 ).
-- BERNAMA