#QURANHOUR KICKS OFF
5,000 participants recite the Quran en masse for an hour
THE Malaysia #QuranHour programme kicked off yesterday, with Muslims congregating in mosques to recite the Quran en masse for one hour.
Some 5,000 Muslims came together to recite verses from the Quran from noon at the Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin Mosque here.
The event was organised by Karangkraf Media Group (Karangkraf) and Warisan Ummah Ikhlas Foundation (WUIF).
Twenty-four participants took to the stage in turns to recite selected verses, which included Surah Al-Fatihah, Surah Al-Baqarah (verse 1-5) and Surah Asy-Syams to Surah An-Nas.
Among the participants was Immigration Department director-general Datuk Seri Mustafar Ali, who recited the Surah Al-Zalzalah.
Themed “Bangsa Berbudi dan Penyayang (A Righteous and Loving People)”, Malaysia #QuranHour was carried out simultaneously at 1,660 locations, together with 12 global locations.
Sultan of Perak Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah graced the event.
Fourteen media companies also came together to promote the reading of the Quran. The media agencies included Media Prima Bhd television stations, New Straits Times, Berita Harian, Harian Metro, Sinar Harian, Utusan Malaysia, Kosmo!, Astro, Radio Televisyen Malaysia and Bernama.
The World #QuranHour will be held at the Sultan Ahmad Shah Mosque at the International Islamic University (IIUM) from 12 noon to 1pm on Aug 31 (9 Zulhijjah).
Mustafar said the culture of Quran recital would be fostered among Immigration officers and through selected events.
“Most importantly, the teachings and values in the Quran must be understood and emulated by Muslims, especially in the Immigration Department, in upholding the government’s sovereignty and ensuring its safety and prosperity,” he said.
WUIF chief executive officer Marhaini Yusoff said this third edition of the Malaysia #QuranHour aimed to bring about change in society and community.
“We want Malaysians to come together in this effort and create an ecosystem in which our lives are based on the Quran,” she said.
Among those present were Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom and Jakim director-general Tan Sri Othman Mustapha.
Celebrities also attended the event, such as actors Rosyam Nor and Fizo Omar.