Accra:Malaysian qariah Nur Syakura Mohamad Musa emerged as the champion in the women's recitation category at the 66th International Al-Quran Recitation and Memorisation Assembly (MTHQA), enabling Malaysia to retain the women's title. She scored 91.83 points, surpassing Singapore's A'tiiqah Suhaimi, who scored 91.00 points, and Brunei's Dayangku Siti Ummi Syazana Pengiran Marjuki, who placed third with 90.83 points.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, in the men's recitation category, Indonesian qari Muhammad Fauji Ridwan secured first place with 94.67 points. Malaysia's Cik Hasnul Taqiyuddin Cik Sazali was the runner-up with 92.99 points, while Belgium's Brahim Boughalab took third place with 92.17 points.

In the men's Al-Quran memorisation category, Bangladesh's Ehtishamul Hoque Hira emerged as the champion with 97.00 points, winning on the basis of his accuracy and mastery of tajwid, which served as the tiebreaker against Syria's Abdul Rahman Jamal Ibrahim, who recorded the same overall score. Malaysia's Muhammad Izzul Afnan Sazali placed third with 96.33 points.

Niger's Chafaatou Issoufou won the women's Al-Quran memorisation category with 96.17 points. Libya's Minnah Ali Alsoudani Aghnayah followed with 95.50 points, while Myanmar's Thein Gi Mon placed third with 95.00 points.

Overall, Malaysia secured one championship title, a runner-up position, and a third-place finish across the four categories contested. The recitation category champion received RM40,000 in cash, a trophy, an umrah package worth RM10,000, and a gold bar set worth RM3,000. The second and third-place winners in this category received RM30,000 and RM20,000 respectively, along with trophies.

For the memorisation category, the champion was awarded RM40,000 in cash, a trophy, an umrah or Muslim-friendly travel package worth RM5,000, and a gold bar set worth RM3,000. The runner-up and third-place winners received RM30,000 and RM20,000 respectively, with trophies. Each participant at the event received a consolation prize of RM3,000.

The 66th MTHQA, themed 'MADANI Dihayati, Ummah Diberkati' (MADANI Embraced, Ummah Blessed), featured 50 participants from 38 countries, consisting of 34 men and 16 women.