The 56th International Al-Quran Recital and Memorization Assembly which ended Saturday night, created history for Malaysia when all its participants emerged as winners of all the categories contested.
Contestant Ahmad Tirmizi Ali emerged victorious in the male reciter category with 93.3 per cent points while Hanimzah Jalaludin was the best female reciter with a total of 90.67 per cent points.
In the memorisation category introduced for the first time this year, Mohd Ersyad Abdullah came out tops with 95.75 per cent, while Noorhafizah Mohd Safee emerged as winner of the women's category with 95 per cent.
Winners for the recitation category received gold bars worth RM70,000 from Yayasan Pembangunan Ekonomi Islam Malaysia, trophy and RM40,000 cash.
Winners of the memorization category took home RM30,000, souvenirs and trophy while consolation prizes worth RM3,000 each were also given to 42 other participants, as well as souvenir and certificate of participation.
The prizes were presented by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah while Raja Permaisuri Agong Tuanku Hajah Haminah also graced the event.
Also present at the function were Sarawak Yang di-Pertua negeri, Tun Taib Mahmud, his wife Toh Puan Ragad Kurdi and Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom.
/129