Megawati to open Koran recital

Megawati to open Koran recital

BENGKULU, Bengkulu: President Megawati Soekarnoputri is
scheduled to open a preliminary Koran recital competition which
will be held in Bengkulu from 12 July to 18 July, Minister for
Religious Affairs Said Agil Al-Munawar said on Saturday.

"The President has paid great attention to the activity by
stating her readiness to open the event," Said Agil told
reporters after meeting Bengkulu Governor Hasan Zein.

The vice president usually opens the preliminary Koran recital
contest, with the president officiating the start of the final
stage.

For the first time, the event will feature an English
category.

The Bengkulu administration has allocated Rp 22.7 billion
(US$2.6 million) this fiscal year to fund the preparations for
the event. Last year the province spent Rp 14 billion for the
same program. -- Antara