Unprecedented participation from US in Quran recital in Malaysia

Amid signs of growing cordiality in United States-Malaysia bilateral relations, two Muslim students from the U.S left for Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday morning from Washington's Dulles International Airport to participate in the annual International Quran Recital Assembly in Kuala Lumpur. This will be the 56th time since its independence that Malaysia is organising the annual event at Dewan Merdeka, Putra World Trade Centre in Kuala Lumpur from June 16 to 21. Speaking to Bernama here, Malaysian ambassador to the United States, Datuk Awang Adek Hussin said this would be the first ever participation from the United States in the Quran recital event in Malaysia. Since his arrival a few months back, the former deputy finance minister was already making a mark in this country with what he described as a "push" for greater cooperation in the economic and business sphere. He recalled how the names of the two participants cropped up. "We had approached the Department of State for help and guidance in the matter. It informed us that the U.S. Government administration supported the concept and thanked the Malaysian government for the invitation. "We were told to contact the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA), which is the biggest Islamic organisation in North America. ISNA, in turn, endorsed the names of the two participants who are both young students with a good recital voice and understanding of moderate Islam," he said. The two are Yusuf Muhammad Azeem, 15, a student from Landham, Maryland, and Fadima Mohamed Dahir, 18, a student from Woodbridge, Virginia. Yusuf is accompanied by his mother, Jameela Cattaneo, and Fadima by her uncle, Ibrahim Abdirahman Sheikhadan, during their visit to Malaysia. The Malaysian ambassador, who was euphoric about the "first such participation from the United States in the history of our bilateral relations", underscored the significance of the participation. He described it as a "clear sign of our improved relationship with the United States", which continues to be Malaysia's second biggest market and the number one foreign investor in Malaysia. "People in Malaysia are going to be excited about the participation from the United States," the ambassador said. The warmth and cordiality that characterised U.S. President Barack Obama's visit to Malaysia in April has not only greatly improved the atmosphere but also brought the two sides closer to each other on a number of important global issues. The U.S. administration has been listening to the sound bytes emanating from Malaysia, particularly from Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, whose advocacy of the Global Movement of Moderates (GMM) seems to gain credence in the present violent upheavals that grip many parts of the world. "The participation of the two students from the United States in the Quran recital assembly should also be seen in the context of the idea of moderation which Malaysia and its prime minister have been espousing," Awang Adik said. "Their participation in Kuala Lumpur should serve as a testimony to the peaceful and moderate Islam practised in Malaysia. "Indeed, the idea of moderate Islam has gone down well in the United States which understands and appreciates the underlying idea of peaceful coexistence and mutual toleration of different faiths," he said.