Jakarta hosts international Koran reading contest
Jakarta hosts international Koran reading contest
Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Participants from 45 countries are expected to compete in an
international Koran reading contest from Saturday through until
Monday next week, the first competition since the event was
recently declared two-yearly.
Spokesman for the Ministry of Religious Affairs Arifin Nurdin
said on Thursday Indonesia was named the host of the inaugural
biennial competition for its achievement in a number of
international Koran reading contests in the past.
"We have won numerous international Koran recital
competitions, but have never played host to such an event,
despite the fact that Indonesia is the country in the world with
the largest Muslim population. Even the Philippines managed to
host one," Arifin said.
He said the government expected to promote Islam as a champion
of peace through the competition, which will be held at Jakarta's
Istiqlal Grand Mosque.
"We are keen to show the world that Islam is warmhearted,
relieving and peaceful," said Arifin, also the spokesman for the
event's organizing committee.
Minister of Religious Affairs Said Agil Husin Almunawar had
said previously the international event should demonstrate that
Indonesia was safe despite a series of terrorist attacks in the
country over the past year.
Arifin said 25 countries from five continents had confirmed
their participation in the event, which will shave Rp 2.5 billion
(US$294,000) off the state budget.
All participants and delegations will stay at Borobudur Hotel
in Central Jakarta, located near the Istiqlal Mosque.
President Megawati Soekarnoputri is scheduled to open the
event and Vice President Hamzah Haz is slated to close it.
Participants will be divided into two gender categories plus
an English translation category.
Indonesia will be represented by winners of this year's
national Koran reading competition.
The chairman of the event's organizing committee, Taufiq
Kamil, said the winner of each division would receive US$3,000 in
cash, with second place receiving $2,000 and third $1,000.