President to open Koran recital

PALU, Central Sulawesi: President Abdurrahman Wahid has agreed to officially open the 19th National Koran Recital Contest (MTQN) here on June 1.

Spokesman for the provincial administration, Longki Djanggola, said on Saturday that the President's approval was given during a courtesy call paid by a delegation of the event's organizing committee in Jakarta.

The committee, chaired by Governor HB Paliudju, met the President to report on the progress of preparations for the annual contest.

Separately, organizer member Taswin Borman said at least 27 out of the country's 29 provinces would send their delegation to the week-long event.

He added that West Java, West Sumatra, East Java, South Kalimantan and Jakarta had confirmed their participation in all categories of the contest. (01)