Kuala lumpur: Seventy-two participants from 50 countries are set to take part in the 65th edition of the International Quran Recital and Memorisation Assembly (MTHQA) at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur (WTCKL) next month. Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na’im Mokhtar announced that 40 participants will compete in the Quran Recital category, while 32 others will compete in the Quran Memorisation category.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the participant screening process was conducted online from May 19 to 23 and was assessed by an experienced panel of judges to ensure fairness and transparency. This year’s assembly carries the theme ‘Developing a MADANI Ummah’ and will be officially opened by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on August 2. Malaysia will be represented by Aiman Ridhwan Mohamad Ramlan from Perak and Wan Sofea Aini Wan Mohd Zahidi from Terengganu in the Recital category, and Muhammad Adib Ahmad Rozaini from Perak and Putri Auni Khadijah Mohd Hanif from Kelantan in the Memorisation category.
Mohd Na’im noted that this year’s panel of judges will comprise 16 qualified and experienced individuals from countries including Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, and Indonesia. The judging for the Recital category will focus on tajwid (pronunciation accuracy), tarannum (melodic recitation), fasahah (fluency), and vocal quality. The Memorisation category will be assessed based on memorisation accuracy and fluency.
The theme of the assembly aligns with Malaysia’s vision of developing a highly civilised society, focusing on spiritual, intellectual, and moral dimensions, as well as infrastructure and physical development. Malaysia has been recognised as a leading host of the MTHQA since its inception on March 8, 1961, and notably received the Best Quran Programme Award in 2016 from the Kuwait International Prize for the Holy Quran.
Dr Mohd Na’im mentioned that JAKIM will continue to elevate the prestige and quality of this event in line with current demands, including embracing the aspirations of digitisation and artificial intelligence (AI). Winners in both categories will receive RM40,000 in cash, while second-place winners will receive RM30,000, and third-place winners RM20,000, along with jewellery prizes sponsored by the Malaysian Islamic Economic Development Foundation (YaPEIM).
A special event, a Quran recitation from KL Sentral to Hatyai, will be organised as part of the assembly, aiming to set a new record in the Malaysia Book of Records under the category ‘Longest Quran Recitation on an International Cross-Border Train Journey.’