On 23 July 2010 at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Imam Sanit Iamrit, President of the Muslim Association of Al Quran Reader of Thailand under the Patronage of the Sheikul Islam of Thailand, led a delegation to pay a courtesy call on Ambassador Surapong Jayanama, advisor to the Foreign Minister, to thank the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the continued support to the association in its participation in international Quran reading competitions since 2006. Among the delegates were Mr. Santi Dasa, a Thai expert in Al Quran reading who has been invited to be member of the panel of judges at the 52nd International Al-Quran Reciters’ Assembly; Ms. Sameehah Talohding, a Qariah (female reader of the Holy Quran) from Pattani; and Mr. Abdul Hamid Sengkajaree, a Qari (male reciter) from Yala, both of whom will participate in the said event, to be held in Kuala Lumpur during 27 July — 3 August 2010.
Ambassador Surapong, on behalf of Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya, took this occasion to present to the Association two air tickets and Baht 147,500.- for the travel expenses of Mr. Saman Kopitak, Secretary-General of the Association and Mr. Pramote Pheukpong, reciting instructor, who will accompany the Thai national recital team to attend the said Quran reading test at Putra World Trade Center (PWTC) in Kuala Lumpur. The Foreign Minister’s Advisor extended his best wishes for the Thai national recital team’s success in the competition as well as his hope that the team would be able to bring accolade to Thailand again. He stressed that the team’s achievement would be held as a matter of pride for Thailand, and for all Thais of all religions.
On the same occasion, the association’s president presented a plaque to the Advisor to show the gratitude to the Foreign Ministry.
The annual ‘International Al-Quran Reciters Assembly’ is considered to be one of the most important international Quran recital contests in the Muslim world, and has been held continuously for the past 50 years, beginning not long after Malaysia’s independence. Every year the event has been opened by, and has been held under the patronage of, every consecutive Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia, past and present. And each year Thailand, as a friendly neighbour of Malaysia, never fails to send a team of Thai Quran readers to attend the competition. Thai qaris and qariahs from the Muslim Association of Al Quran Reader of Thailand have made a name for Thailand by winning first and other prizes 8 times in the past.
The fact that the international Muslim community holds Thai reciters in high esteem can be seen not only from the invitation to the Thai national recital team to attend the assembly, but also from the invitation issued to distinguished Thai Muslim scholars to be members of the panel of judges in the competition. Mr. Santi Dasa from Thailand has been invited to become one of the eminent judges this year.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has given continuous support to the activities of the association since 2006, recognizing that the Muslim Association of Al Quran Reader of Thailand has greatly contributed to the nation’s fame abroad, and has shown to the world Muslim community the high academic standard of Thailand’s qaris and qariahs, as well as the religious freedom and openness of Thai society. Apart from the competition in Malaysia, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been allocating financial resources to support sending trainer, instructors, and officials of the association to accompany Thai national recital team to attend international Quran recital tests and competitions held in Indonesia, Iran, Egypt, Sudan, and other countries. Thai embassies and consulates in respective countries have also been instructed to facilitate the Thai Quran reading team and to invite the Thai community in each country to come and cheer Thai qaris and qariahs at each event.
For further information, please contact the Press Division, Department of Information, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Tel.02-6435170, Fax.02-6435169, E-mail: div0704@mfa.go.th