World #QuranHour makes glorious comeback

SHAH ALAM - The World #QuranHour programme which previously could not be held on a large scale due to the Covid-19 pandemic for the past three years is expected to make a glorious comeback and draw in an extraordinary number of crowd.

This, Warisan Ummah Ikhlas Foundation (WUIF) chief executive officer Marhaini Yusoff said was because since the programme started in 2015, it had become a well-known brand in promoting the culture of reciting the Quran among Muslims.

She said a few years ago during the pandemic which hit the whole world, the programme could only be held online and at the prime location at the studio.

"We could only prepare the studio as the programme's prime location due to the restrictions back then. At the states, it could only be held online unlike the previous years where it was done face-to-face.

"However, this year, communities can sit together to read and appreciate the Quran in conjunction with the World #QuranHour programme," she told Sinar Harian.

Meanwhile, Marhaini said the programme recorded the highest number of participants in 2019 with a total of 1.46 billion people who joined the event.

"I believe that we will able to reach the 1.6 billion #QuranHour hashtags target worldwide this year based on the achievement for the last four years.

"After all, we have already reached 946 million hashtags this year. There are still two days left, I hope everyone would continue to share about this programme to the public," she said.

Meanwhile, preparations to make the programme a success were actively being carried out throughout the country.

In Melaka, the state Islamic Religious Department (Jaim) was currently making preparations ahead of the World #QuranHour programme, tomorrow.

Melaka Rumah Ngaji coordinator Nur Atikah Amir said the programme which would be attended by 2,000 people comprised students, government employees of various agencies and the public would be held simultaneously in several libraries in the state.

She said it was not the first time the Melaka State Library (Perpustam) was involved in this programme.

In fact, she said evey year they provided opportunities for staff and residents in the surrounding areas to join the World #QuranHour.

"The grand World #QuranHour event (in Melaka) will be held at the Al-Azim Mosque and the Yang di-Pertua Tun Mohd Ali Mohd Rustam will also join the event like he did the previous years.

"I believe that there will be a good impact in our lives by understanding the Quran," she said.

In Johor, the Al-Syifa Bandar Penawar Mosque, Kota Tinggi was selected as the main location for the programme, tomorrow.

The state Rumah Ngaji educational association deputy chairman Roziah Kamal said Kota Tinggi was chosen to give a different experience as the programme was held outside of Johor Bahru.

"It is estimated that there would be 800 participants which comprise the public, students and teachers. The programme that was held in Kluang last year will be held in Kota Tinggi this year.

"A total of six buses will transport participants from Johor Bahru, Pasir Gudang, Batu Pahat and several Felda areas in Kota Tinggi to Bandar Penawar," he said.

In Pahang, state Rumah Ngaji secretariat chairman Md Abdu Sahak said 200 students and university staff will participate in the programme which will be held at the Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP) Mosque, in Gambang.

He said Mohd Faizan Tajuid as the pentaddabur will lead the programme.

"A khatam al-Quran event will take place first before the recitation of Surah al-Insan verse 1-31 for one hour from noon," he said.

In Penang, a total of 300 to 400 participants were expected to join the programme that will be held at the Jamiul Sharif Pokok Machang Mosque, Tasek Gelugor, tomorrow.

State Rumah Ngaji coordinator Zaiton@Zariyah Abdullah said as many as 53 Rumah Ngaji in the state will participate in the programme this time.

"The recitation of Surah Al-Insan will be led by Ahmad Fahmi Abu Bakar from Mudir Madrasah Al-Quran Wal Arabiyyah while the Quran recitation will be led by Institute of Teacher Education Tuanku Bainun campus lecturer Abu Bakar Ahmad.

"The programme will be officiated by Penang Islamic Religious Council member who is also Albukhary International University president Professor Emeritus Datuk Abdul Aziz Tajuddin. We will also hold a small tahlil ceremony led by Mohd Zubir Din," she said.

In Perlis, the Arau Community College would also not miss out on the opportunity to participate in the World #QuranHour held simultaneously worldwide tomorrow (22 Ramadan 1444H).

Arau Community College Library assistant Mohd Azman Ali said a total of 50 participants from the community college will recite and appreciate the meaning of the Surah Al-Insan verses together.

"Various programmes would also be held on the same day including activities such as calligraphy competition among students and the making of bubur lambuk by the college staff club," he said.