IRAQI AND MALAYSIAN NAMED CHAMPIONS AT 51ST QURAN RECITERS ASSEMBLY

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 13 (Bernama) -- Male Quran reciter from Iraq, Usamah
Abdullah, and Malaysian female reciter Sharifah Khasif Fadzillah Syed
Badiuzzaman, were named winners in the respective categories at the 51st
International-Level Quran Reciters' Assembly.

They each won RM14,339, a trophy and a certificate, which they received from
Ruler of northern state of Kedah Sultan Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah and his
consort Sultanah Haminah Hamidun, respectively, at the function held at the
Putra World Trade Centre Wednesday night.

The second place in the male catgeory was won by Jafar Hadi Fardi Aghchay
and third by Azhar Darma Djunaidi, both from Indonesia, while in the women's
category, Thailand's Natipa Manasia, came second and third place was Dayang
Nurul Akmalina Yahya, from Brunei.

The second prize winners each received RM10,754 and a certificate, while the
cash prize for the third winners was RM7,169 each.

A total of 66 participants from 43 countries took part in the assembly which
was held since Wednesday. (US$1=RM3.50)
-- BERNAMA