Bangkok--Aug 18--MFA
On 15 August, 2008, a delegation from the Muslim Association of Al Quran Reader of Thailand Under the Patronage of the Sheikhul Islam of Thailand, called on Foreign Minister Tej Bunnag to thank the Foreign Ministry for its support to the Association, and to bid farewell before their departure to Malaysia to take part in the 50th International Al-Quran Reciters' Assembly, scheduled to be held in Terenganu, during 18-27 August, 2008. The delegation, led by Imam Sanit Iamrit, the Association’s President, included a Thai expert in al-Quran reading who has been invited as a member of the international panel of judges in the said annual competition, a team of a Qari (male reader of the Holy Quran) from Bangkok and a Qariah (female reader of the Holy Quran) from the Southern Province of Yala, who would participate in the said event on behalf of Thailand, as well as Mr. Saman Kopitak, the Association’s Secretary-General, and trainer and officials from the Association.
Foreign Minister Tej Bunnag congratulated the Association on its past successes, as the Association has been sending teams of Thai qaris and qariahs to many international contests for decades, already winning many global awards and accolades for Thailand. He said all Thais, regardless of their respective religions, should be proud that Thailand has HM the King as the Defender of All Faiths held by his people, according to the Constitution and royal traditions. The Minister also commented that unlike recitals of any ordinary texts, participating in the recital of the Quran should be considered a sacred and pious activity, as the readers would do so with respect and in full realization of the sanctity of the scripture. He referred to Thailand’s first Chularajmontri or Sheikhul Islam (the supreme spiritual leader of all Thai Muslims) who lived 400 years ago and who was also the ancestor of the Bunnag family. Speaking from his own experience, the Minister, who is a Buddhist with many Muslim relatives, stressed on the mutual feeling of close kinship that all Thais of various beliefs share, and extended his best wishes for yet again another success of the Thai qari and qariah team in Malaysia. On this occasion, the delegation presented to the Foreign Ministry a plaque of appreciation and also said a prayer to invoke God’s blessings onto the Ministry.
For at least half a century, Thai Muslim reciters have participated in (and have also won first and other prizes at) international contests of Quran recitations in many countries, and Thai Muslim scholars have also been invited to be judges in these events, attesting to the standard of excellence of Thailand’s qaris and qariahs, who are held in high regards in the in international Quran recital circle. The fact that qaris, qariahs and ulama from Thailand, a non-Muslim country, can reach such high level of achievement in the Muslim world is also another proof of the open-mindedness and religious freedom in Thai society.
The Foreign Ministry recognizes that the Muslim Association of Al Quran Reader of Thailand has greatly contributed to the nation’s fame abroad and should enjoy the support similar to that others representing Thailand in other global arena have enjoyed. The Association’s achievement abroad should be a source of pride for all Thai people alike, as it is won in Thailand’s name. Therefore, in past international contests, tests and competitions held in Malaysia, Iran, Indonesia, and other countries, the Foreign Ministry and the Royal Thai Embassies and Consulates abroad are among supporters of the Association. A trophy from the Minister of Foreign Affairs is also provides each year at the Association’s annual academic activity during Thailand’s Maolid al-Nabi celebration.
Within the coming week, in Terengganu, His Majesty the Yang-di Pertuan Agong of Malaysia will graciously preside over the 50th International Al-Quran Reciters' Assembly, in which the Thai national reciting team, sponsored by the Thai Foreign Ministry, the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Culture, will participate. The Thai Consul-General in Kota Bahru himself will be cheering the Thai team, and the Foreign Ministry is certain that once again, Thai qari and qariah will be able to bring acclamation to their homeland.
Prime Minister at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Press Division, Department of Information Tel.(02) 643-5170
Fax. (02) 643-5169 E-mail : div0704@mfa.go.th End.
-PM-
On 15 August, 2008, a delegation from the Muslim Association of Al Quran Reader of Thailand Under the Patronage of the Sheikhul Islam of Thailand, called on Foreign Minister Tej Bunnag to thank the Foreign Ministry for its support to the Association, and to bid farewell before their departure to Malaysia to take part in the 50th International Al-Quran Reciters' Assembly, scheduled to be held in Terenganu, during 18-27 August, 2008. The delegation, led by Imam Sanit Iamrit, the Association’s President, included a Thai expert in al-Quran reading who has been invited as a member of the international panel of judges in the said annual competition, a team of a Qari (male reader of the Holy Quran) from Bangkok and a Qariah (female reader of the Holy Quran) from the Southern Province of Yala, who would participate in the said event on behalf of Thailand, as well as Mr. Saman Kopitak, the Association’s Secretary-General, and trainer and officials from the Association.
Foreign Minister Tej Bunnag congratulated the Association on its past successes, as the Association has been sending teams of Thai qaris and qariahs to many international contests for decades, already winning many global awards and accolades for Thailand. He said all Thais, regardless of their respective religions, should be proud that Thailand has HM the King as the Defender of All Faiths held by his people, according to the Constitution and royal traditions. The Minister also commented that unlike recitals of any ordinary texts, participating in the recital of the Quran should be considered a sacred and pious activity, as the readers would do so with respect and in full realization of the sanctity of the scripture. He referred to Thailand’s first Chularajmontri or Sheikhul Islam (the supreme spiritual leader of all Thai Muslims) who lived 400 years ago and who was also the ancestor of the Bunnag family. Speaking from his own experience, the Minister, who is a Buddhist with many Muslim relatives, stressed on the mutual feeling of close kinship that all Thais of various beliefs share, and extended his best wishes for yet again another success of the Thai qari and qariah team in Malaysia. On this occasion, the delegation presented to the Foreign Ministry a plaque of appreciation and also said a prayer to invoke God’s blessings onto the Ministry.
For at least half a century, Thai Muslim reciters have participated in (and have also won first and other prizes at) international contests of Quran recitations in many countries, and Thai Muslim scholars have also been invited to be judges in these events, attesting to the standard of excellence of Thailand’s qaris and qariahs, who are held in high regards in the in international Quran recital circle. The fact that qaris, qariahs and ulama from Thailand, a non-Muslim country, can reach such high level of achievement in the Muslim world is also another proof of the open-mindedness and religious freedom in Thai society.
The Foreign Ministry recognizes that the Muslim Association of Al Quran Reader of Thailand has greatly contributed to the nation’s fame abroad and should enjoy the support similar to that others representing Thailand in other global arena have enjoyed. The Association’s achievement abroad should be a source of pride for all Thai people alike, as it is won in Thailand’s name. Therefore, in past international contests, tests and competitions held in Malaysia, Iran, Indonesia, and other countries, the Foreign Ministry and the Royal Thai Embassies and Consulates abroad are among supporters of the Association. A trophy from the Minister of Foreign Affairs is also provides each year at the Association’s annual academic activity during Thailand’s Maolid al-Nabi celebration.
Within the coming week, in Terengganu, His Majesty the Yang-di Pertuan Agong of Malaysia will graciously preside over the 50th International Al-Quran Reciters' Assembly, in which the Thai national reciting team, sponsored by the Thai Foreign Ministry, the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Culture, will participate. The Thai Consul-General in Kota Bahru himself will be cheering the Thai team, and the Foreign Ministry is certain that once again, Thai qari and qariah will be able to bring acclamation to their homeland.
Prime Minister at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Press Division, Department of Information Tel.(02) 643-5170
Fax. (02) 643-5169 E-mail : div0704@mfa.go.th End.
-PM-