Judges of Qur'an reading contest undergo training

COTABATO CITY– The Bureau of Madaris Education (BME) of the Department of Education-Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DepEd-ARMM) conducted a two-day seminar to improve the judging skills in Qur’an reading competitions of 35 ulama and asatidz from different parts of the region.The seminar was held over the weekend in this city.Madaris Education Undersecretary Alzad Sattar said it was meant to improve the skills and knowledge of the participants and prepare them for this year’s annual National Qur’an Reading Competition scheduled in April. Kahit mayroon nang kaalaman ang ating Ulama at Asatidz na judges sa National Qur’an Reading Competition, kailangan pa rin natin itong i-enhance para mas mapabuti pa ang kanilang pag-judge,” Sattar said. It is first time in the ARMM na gagawin natin ang activity na ito. Mapapaganda ang competition natin annually, kung saan tayo ang naghahandle nito,” he added.The region-wide seminar assembled 35 Ulama and Asatidz from the region’s five provinces of Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur, and its two cities - Marawi and Lamitan.Sattar also said that they’re prepared to hold a similar seminar whenever there is a Qur’an reading competition to standardize the judging criteria. Hindi lang natin ito gagawin yearly, dapat ma-institutionalize natin ito. Ibig sabihin, bago tayo magconduct ng actual Qur’an reading competitions sa iba’t ibang level, sa provincial, regional o national level man, gagawin po natin ulit ito,” he said.Ustadz Yahya Titong of Basilan, who has been a judge of Qur’an reading competitions for almost five years, said the seminar was really helpful to them. Maganda ang seminar na ito para malaman ng mga hurado ang tamang pag-judge dahil marami pa kaming dapat matutunan,” he said. Dahil sa seminar kagaya nito, magkakaroon ng uniformity at tamang roadmap sa pagjudge namin,” he added.The program was funded by the office of Governor Mujiv Hataman in partnership with the Holy Qur’an Affairs Organization of the Philippines, Inc. (HQAOP)