M’sian lecturer wins Quran reciting contest in Russia

SEPANG: Kolej Islam Antarabangsa Sultan Ismail Petra lecturer Abdullah Fahmi Che Nor Shukri did the country proud when he emerged champion of the 17th Moscow International Quran Reciting Competition in Russia.

Met by reporters at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport yesterday, Abdullah Fahmi said the victory was beyond his expectation.

“For me the competition was very close, especially against the participants from Yemen, Bahrain, Iran, Iraq and Turkey, because they recited very well,” he said.

Abdullah Fahmi, who had finished fifth in the 2016 National-level Al-Quran Reciters Assembly, received a cash prize of US$5,000 (RM20,000), as well as a plaque and certificate of participation.

Yusuf Abdullah of Yemen was in second place while a participant from Bahrain, Solah Ali Umar, took the third spot.

The competition, held from Sept 22 to 25, was attended by representatives from 30 countries, including Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Iran, Bahrain and Indonesia. – Bernama