A Filipino Muslim boy copped second place in a competition for memorization of the Qur’an in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia last Aug. 21.
The feat by Muzaher Suweb Bito gained recognition in the Islamic community, notably Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
Bito’s achievement was deemed a rare since the honor was traditionally dominated by Arab-speaking countries for over a century.
Bito, a lad from the BARMM, won in the international contest for Muslim youths in memorizing the Qur’an, with accurate Arabic pronunciation, lines syllabification, and breath-timing.
The good news was first announced on social media by relatives and friends of Bito’s family who worked for the BARMM’s Ministry of Basic Higher and Technical Education (MBHTE).
The contestants, mostly young, who have memorized in sheer devotion the Qur’an (Muslim Holy Book), are called Hafidth.
Meanwhile, Datu Rashid Hussain, 15, one of the region’s hafidh individuals, succumbed to respiratory congestion on Monday, Ike Hussain, the boy’s father, broke out the sad news.
Norodin Dodo, chief of the MBHTE BARMM’s security section, said Bito, his nephew, had previously won 27th Session of Dubai International Holy Qur’an Contest in the United Arab Emirates held from March 12 to 24, 2024.
“Your exceptional victory is a testament that every Bangsamoro can perform and compete in the international sphere (arena),” the Bangsamoro said in a statement credited to Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim.
“Your devotion, mastery, and spiritual connection are truly commendable. May this award inspire the younger Bangsamoro generation,” Ebrahim said.
Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline: “Filipino boy grabs Top 2 spot in Qur’an literary tilt prestige”
