THOUSANDS ATTEND WORLD #QURANHOUR ACROSS THE COUNTRY
Participants read Quran in conjunction with ‘wukuf’ ritual
SOME 3,000 participants gathered for the World #QuranHour at Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Mosque at the International Islamic University (IIUM) here yesterday.
Attendees arrived as early as 10.30am to join the mass recitation of the Quran, although the event started only at noon.
It began with the recital of Surah Al-Fatihah by IIUM president Tan Sri Dr Rais Yatim, followed by Surah Al-Baqarah by Islamic Development Department (Jakim) director-general Tan Sri Othman Mustapha.
The proceedings continued with the recital of 83 verses of Surah Yasin, followed by tadabbur (interpretation of text).
The verses were divided and recited by 21 Yasin flag-bearers (YFB), comprising three imam from Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Mosque, Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah Mosque and Singapore; winners of the national and international Tilawah AlQuran, IIUM students, as well as celebrities.
Present were International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed, Warisan Ummah Ikhlas Foundation chairman Datuk Dr Hussamuddin Yaacub and IIUM Rector Professor Datuk Seri Dr Zaleha Kamarudin.
After the event, Rais said World #QuranHour, held for the second year running, aimed to guide Muslims to become better people by living their lives according to Quranic teachings.
“We hope this event will encourage Muslims to live and understand the teachings of the Quran and its values. If we understand the Quran properly, we can become better Muslims and Malaysians.”
Rais said for World #QuranHour next year, he hoped to see participants from higher-learning institutions.
“Together with IIUM, I hope more universities and colleges
will take part in the programme next year.”
Hussamuddin said he hoped the event would encourage a Quranbased mindset among Muslims.
“If we truly understand and practise the Quran’s teachings, we will become better leaders, parents and managers.
“We will also be more compassionate, more disciplined.”
At Dataran Merdeka here, about 5,000 visitors came as early as 6pm to celebrate World #QuranHour yesterday in conjunction with the National Day.
The event, themed “Bangsa Berbudi dan Penyayang”, started after Isyak prayers and was led by the imam of Masjid Negara.
The event saw Muslims joining in the hour-long Quran recitation, united as a nation.
The #QuranHour started with the calling of takbir for Hari Raya Aidiladha led by Minister in the
Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom.
This also coincides with wukuf or the Day of Arafah.
The event continued with “Solidariti Ngaji” for five minutes where participants read one page of the Surah Yasin in silence to understand its meaning.
The Surah Yasin was then recited by Qari Junior Harith Hakimi and other Yasin flag-bearers consisting of religious figures and artistes such as Johan As’ari, while intermittently featuring tadabbur sessions.
Participants included those from the police, armed forces, Rohingya refugees, students and locals. They viewed a 200m by 9m screen showing the interpretations of the Surah Yasin.
Newlyweds from Egypt, Aiman and Hadeel Toony, applauded the organiser’s efforts in showing the beauty of Islam.
“We have never seen an event like this. It is a great way to unite the people by having an event that shows how Muslims are united. There are so many people here and it’s nice to show tourists this is one way Malaysians celebrate their independence day,” Aiman said.
Present was secretary-general of the Communications and Multimedia Ministry, Datuk Seri Dr Sharifah Zarah Syed Ahmad.
World #QuranHour was held in conjunction with the wukuf ritual of the haj in Arafah, Mecca, on the 9th day of Zulhijjah in the Islamic calendar, which coincidentally fell on National Day.
This year, World #QuranHour was held at 750 locations nationwide and in 50 countries, including Brunei, South Korea, Austria, Oman and Singapore.
Media Prima Group is one of the event’s media partners.