Page 68 - รวมเล่มศาสนาในประเทศไทย ภาคภาษาอังกฤษ

Granted an Audience to the Winner of

the Noble Qur’an Recitation.

Muslim men, women, children, adults, are all interested to
learn how to recite the Noble Qur'an correctly, to understand the beautiful
wording and its meaning correctly. It requires time for practices of the right
grammar and language usage, especially in spelling and phonetics, the rule
of pronunciation, intonation and melodic rhythm, and nice voice. A male
reader is called "Quari", the female reader is call "Quariah".
In 1961, Malaysia invited Thailand to join an international Qur'an
recitation competition. Although Thailand is not Islamic country, Muslim
population is the second-largest religious group in the country, after Buddhist
population. In order to build a good relationship between two countries,
especially in the religious aspect, Thailand sent Quari and Quariah to join
the competition. It turned out that Thailand won the winner prize granted
by the King of Malaysia. In this occassion, His Majesty the King granted
an audience to the winner. This royal grace brought appreciation and
auspiciousness to the winner. Thereafter, Thailand has always sent Quari
and Quariah to join the competition. As a result, the Quari Association of
Thailand has been established later on.

Presiding Over the Opening Ceremony of the 1
Central Mawlid Festival in Southern Border Provinces

His Majesty the King has presided over the opening ceremony
of Central Mawlid Festival and "visited Masjid (Mosques)" in many places in
the Southern border provinces, such as Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat, and Satun.
Upon his royal visit in different regions, he granted land for establishment of
mosques, such as Masjid Nurul Ehsan, which is located in Muslim community
of Sam Phraya, Cha-am District, Phetchaburi. On the visit, His Majesty
the King not only allocated his personal fund as a contribution to build this
education center, but also took the Masjid under his royal patronage. As a
result, this Masjid is known as "His Majesty's Masjid" as called by local
Muslims. In addition, the king has encouraged occupational training,
and initiated agriculture development project for Muslim communities in
provinces -- such as Pikunthong Royal Development Study Center in
Narathiwat, Huai Sai Royal Development Study Center in Phetchaburi -- with
an aim to improving the life quality of local people.
2

66

66