SHAH ALAM, Mar 17 – DYMM Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah Alhaj last night officially closed the Selangor State Al-Quran Memorising Ceremony 1430H/2009M at the Shah Alam City Council (MBSA) Auditorium.

State Secretary Dato’ Ramli Mahmud in his speech during the ceremony said that memorising the al-Quran was a form of worship encouraged in Islam which had its share of benefits and rewards in this life and beyond even for those who merely listened to it.

“Reciting and memorising the al-Quran is a noble occupation as it can stimulate and develop an ideal and proactive community development,” he said.

Also present was the Dato’ Menteri Besar, Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim.

Meanwhile, this year’s al-Quran memorising ceremony saw 54 contestants from nine districts in Selangor.

The contestants from Gombak and Hulu Langat, Muhammad Farid Afifi Abdullah and Siti Nadhira Mohd Shafie each emerged as champion for the 1-30 juzuk Al-Quran recitation.

Muhammad Farid obtained 92.73 per cent while Siti Nadhira received 88.53 per cent.

Each received RM5,000 in cash, an umrah package, a set of clothes, trophy and  certificates of appreciation.

The Sultan of Selangor giving Muhammad Farid his prize. Photo AHMAD FADHLI YAHYA

The 1 to 15 juzuk category were won by Mohamed Syafiq Mohamed Bahaudin from the Petaling district and Norhafizah Mohd Shafie from the Hulu Langat district.

Meanwhile the 1 to 5 juzuk category were won by Muhammad Naazir Sheikh Alaudeen and Farah Nabilah Amindin, both from the Gombak district.

They each received cash, an umrah package, a set of clothes, trophy and certificates of appreciation.

The results were announced by the Committee of Judges Chairman Dato’ Mohammed Khusrin Munawi who is also Director of the Selangor Islamic Religion Department (Jais).

Prizes were given away by Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah.

The champions for each category will also represent Selangor at the National Al-Quran Memorising Ceremony in  Kota Bharu Kelantan in mid-April- MURIZA ABDUL HAMID

The winners of the Selangor State Level Al-Quran Memorising Competition 1430H/2009M with their prizes Photo AHMAD FADHLI YAHYA