65th MTHQA To Host 72 Participants From 50 Countries

KUALA LUMPUR, July 14 (Bernama) -- 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 said that of the total, 40 participants will compete in the Quran Recital category, while 32 others will compete in the Quran Memorisation category.

“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,” he said during the pre-launch ceremony of the MTHQA here today.

This year’s assembly carries the theme “Developing a MADANI Ummah”, and will be officially opened by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on Aug 2.

Malaysia will be represented by Aiman Ridhwan Mohamad Ramlan (Perak) and Wan Sofea Aini Wan Mohd Zahidi (Terengganu) in the Recital category, and Muhammad Adib Ahmad Rozaini (Perak) and Putri Auni Khadijah Mohd Hanif (Kelantan) in the Memorisation category.

According to Mohd Na’im, this year’s panel of judges will comprise 16 qualified and experienced individuals from various countries, including Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, and Indonesia, ensuring a fair and transparent judging process.

He explained that judging for the Recital category will focus on four core aspects: tajwid (pronunciation accuracy), tarannum (melodic recitation), fasahah (fluency), and vocal quality, while the Memorisation category will be assessed based on memorisation accuracy and fluency.

On the selection of the theme, Mohd Na’im said it aligns with Malaysia’s vision of developing a highly civilised society, not only in terms of infrastructure and physical development but also in spiritual, intellectual, and moral dimensions.

He noted that Malaysia has long been recognised as a leading host of the MTHQA since its inception on March 8, 1961, with one of its notable achievements being the Best Quran Programme Award in 2016 from the Kuwait International Prize for the Holy Quran.

“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),” he added.

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).

As part of the assembly, a special event - a Quran recitation from KL Sentral to Hatyai - will also be organised, 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.”

-- BERNAMA