Muslims in 70 countries participate in World #QuranHour 2022

KUALA LUMPUR: Muslims in around 15,000 locations in 70 countries recited the Quran, during the 7th World #QuranHour programme which commenced at 12 noon today.

The founder of Quran Hour, Datuk Hussamuddin Yaacub, who is also the chairman of Warisan Ummah Ikhlas Foundation (WUIF), said that this year's programme chose Surah Al-Sajdah, in accordance with the theme 'The World Prostrates'.

"We made this surah as this year's theme because it is relevant to our situation after COVID-19, for two years we have been tested and we need to prostrate to Allah as our ikhtiar (efforts) to rise again," he said in an interview with Bernama Radio here today.

Hussamuddin, who is also the chairman of the Board of Directors of Karangkraf Group, said that what made this year's event even more special was the presence of the Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah, who also consented to recite the Quran with other participants at the main location, the Al-Hijrah TV station.

Apart from Al-Hijrah TV station, the programme was also held simultaneously at several locations nationwide, including Malakat Mall, Cyberjaya; Selangor (Public Library Corporation and State Secretary's Office); Kuala Lumpur (Telekom Malaysia Berhad, Prolintas Group of Companies and Mu'adz bin Jabal Mosque) and in Kelantan (Mydin Tunjong in Kota Bharu).

he programme was also broadcast live on Al-Hijrah TV, and social media accounts of local TV and radio stations, including Sinar Harian, Bernama and Astro Oasis, by inviting six Qari (male Quran reciters) and two others to recite the Quranic verses.

According to Hussamuddin, those at home could also participate in the programme by reciting the Surah Al-Sajdah.

Meanwhile, a check by Bernama at several locations involved found that participants took advantage to stop their daily routine for a while, to read and appreciate Surah Al-Sajdah.

At the Mu'adz Bin Jabal Mosque in Taman Setiawangsa, the programme was also filled with the Khatam Quran Perdana event, which was attended by between 100 and 150 participants.

Mu'adz Bin Jabal Mosque Dakwah and Education Division Committee member, Prof Datuk Azlie Halim, said that it was also to celebrate the tadarus participants of various ages who finished reciting the Quran in conjunction with the month of Ramadan.

"The programme commenced with the 'taddabur' (discussion) of the Surah Al-Sajdah at 11.30 am, followed by the recitation of Surah Al-Sajdah at 12 noon simultaneously around the world, before we continue with the khatam Quran Perdana programme," he said.

In SELANGOR, the one-hour programme, held at the Raja Tun Uda Library, Section 13, here was attended by more than 200 staff, while the State Secretary's office saw the participation of more than 300 staff.

The Selangor Public Library Corporation (PPAS) director, Datin Mastura Muhamad, said that the PPAS had supported the organisation of the programme since 2016, and this year the programme was also held simultaneously in all public libraries in Selangor.

"When we were told that surah Al-Sajdah would be the focus of this year's programme, which spoke of leaders, I had instructed all my staff to 'stop doing anything' within an hour to participate in this event together.

In KELANTAN, the transition to the endemic phase provides an opportunity for the World #QuranHour programme to be held face to face, involving 500 participants at the Mydin Tunjong Hypermarket, here today.

Kelantan Rumah Ngaji Association chairman, Datuk Adnan Hashim, said that after two years of COVID-19, the programme was appropriate to bring the community back to the Quran through the 'read, understand and practice'.

According to him, the programme, held at the supermarket, demonstrates that reading the Quran is not only limited to mosques and surau but can also be held everywhere.

-- BERNAMA