Azlan Othman
The semi-finals of the National Al-Quran Reading Competition for Adults began at the International Convention Centre (ICC) in Berakas yesterday.
The four-day semi-final contest has 41 Qari and 13 Qariah competing to reach the finals.
Thirty four were selected as participants from the district level Al-Quran reading competition for mosques, suraus and religious halls held at the start of November.
Ten participants are those who obtained a score of 80 per cent and above for three consecutive years in previous contests at the semi-final level and the remaining participants had previously won or had reached the finals.
The competition, held by the Ministry of Religious Affairs (MoRA), serves as a platform to encourage Al-Quran literacy and Islamic practice.
It is also a starting point for national Qari and Qariah to step onto the regional and international level for Al-Quran reading.
Acting Director of the Administration Department, MoRA Haji Mohd Shamsul Riza bin Haji Sulaiman was present.
