TEENAGER MAKES MALAYSIA PROUD AT DUBAI QURAN RECITAL

By Muin Abdul Majid
DUBAI, Sept 22 (Bernama) -- Malaysian Muhammad Ahmad Zahid's recital of the Quran was mesmerising, one that helped him clinch first place in the best recitation category at the 12th edition of the Dubai International Holy Quran Award (DIHQA) which ended here Sunday.

And the 13-year-old "hafiz" made the country proud when he had the honour of reciting verses of the Quran at the prize-giving graced by the Crown Prince of
Dubai, Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

Looking smart in a baju Melayu suit and songkok, Muhammad, from Sekolah
Darul Hikmah in Ampang, Selangor, was all smiles as he was congratulated by
government officials, fellow contestants and others who were at the Cultural and
Scientific Association Centre, the venue of DIHQA, in Al Mamzar.

The teenager, who took three years to memorise the Muslim holy book,
received his prize at a separate ceremony a few days ago.

The overall winner of the DIHQA, which began early this month, was Yemeni
Fares Al Aagam, followed by Libya's Noor Al Deen Al Younsi and Khalid Al Ainati
from Kuwait.

The first three winners of the Quran recitation competition received
250,000 dirham (1 dirham = 94 sen), 200,000 dirham and 150,000 dirham,
respectively. The
fourth to 10th place winners received between 65,000 dirham and 35,000 dirham. A
total of 85 contestants took part in the competition.

Muhammad was a picture of confidence as he took the rostrum before a packed
house last night, and began reciting the Quran. A local newspaper described his
performance as "breathtaking".

"Alhamdulillah (Praise be to God)," was how he summed up the whole
experience later, before scurrying off with some new-found foreigner friends at
the end of prize-giving which was also attended by the Malaysian consul-general
in Dubai, Syed Mohamad Hasrin Tengku Hussin.

Speaking to Bernama earlier, Muhammad said he began memorising the Quran at
the age of seven, admitting that it had not been easy.

He counted his legal advisor father and mother, a dentist, as among his
biggest supporters.

"It was really tough in the beginning but it got easier along the way. And
a keen interest in what I was doing also helped me greatly," said the young man
who hailed from Kuala Lumpur.

Asked what were his secrets of success, Muhammad said: "Hard work, doa
(prayers) and perseverance."

Besides Dubai, his talent had brought him to places like Austria where he
was invited for a Quranic performance in 2006. He often receives invitations to
lead prayers at mosques in Malaysia.

The teenager said he had spent much of Ramadan in Dubai and was looking
forward to returning home to be with his family for the rest of the fasting
month and Aidilfitri celebration.

On his Dubai trip, Muhammad was accompanied by Malaysian Islamic
Development Department (Jakim) officer Mohamad Faizal Omar Baki.

Muhammad attended an iftar (breaking of fast) with members of the Malaysian
community in Dubai Saturday where he also led the Maghrib prayers.

Syed Mohamad Hasrin, the consul-general, hosted the iftar meal for the
Malaysian hafiz at a hotel here on Thursday.

Mohamad Faizal revealed that his young charge had bought shoes for himself
and other gifts for his family with the prize money he had won, ahead of their
flight back to Malaysia this evening.

Although Muhammad was not among the top 10 overall winners, the Jakim
officer expressed confidence that the teenager would do well in similar events
in the future.
-- BERNAMA