The Muslim Association of Al-Quran Reader of Thailand under the Patronage of Sheikhul Islam, with the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, led a Thai delegation to participate in the Annual Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz Alu Saud Competition on the Memorization of the Holy Quran and the Sunnah of the Prophet (PBUH) for ASEAN and Asia Pacific Countries. The competition was organized by the Ministry of Religious Affairs of Indonesia, in collaboration with the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Indonesia, at Istiqlal Mosque in Jakarta, Indonesia during 22 - 27 March 2015.

 

            18 countries namely Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Brunei, Singapore, Cambodia, Myanmar, Vietnam, Laos, Timor-Leste, Australia, New Zealand, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Russia and Thailand participated in the said competition. Thailand was represented by 18 Al-Quran reciters; ten were nominated by the Association and the rest by the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Thailand. Master Husein Samoh, a Thai candidate from the latter group, won  the third prize for the memorization of 10 Juz of the Holy Quran. He was awarded a certificate and  

financial support to perform Hajj pilgrimage in addition to 5,000 Saudi Riyal. 

 

            On this occasion, H.E. Mr. Paskorn Siriyaphan, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Thailand to the Republic of Indonesia, hosted a dinner for the delegation and arranged for them to meet with Thai students to discuss and exchange knowledge and views on education and living in Indonesia. 

 

            As one of the cultural diplomacy activities, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has given continuous support to the Association since 2006. Participation in international Al-Quran competitions provides a valuable opportunity for Thai reciters to develop their skills and build networks with the international Muslim community. It also helps boost Thailand’s image as a country wherein freedom of religion is valued, and strengthen people-to-people contact.