KUANTAN, The organisation of the national-level Al-Quran Recitation and Memorisation Assembly this year in Pahang is a manifestation of the commitment between the federal government and the state government to ensure the continued preservation and elevation of Islamic teachings in the country.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na’im Mokhtar this effort was possible through the strong cooperation between both parties, which at the same time supported the empowerment of Islam as stipulated in the Federal Constitution.

“We are aware that under Article 3 of the Federal Constitution, Islam is the religion of the Federation, and this recitation event is a manifestation of the commitment of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, the federal government, and the state government to continue the agenda of upholding the teachings of Islam not only in Pahang but throughout Malaysia.

“My hope as the minister in charge of religious affairs is that the cooperation between JA
KIM (Department of Islamic Development Malaysia) and the state government through the Pahang Islamic Religious Department (JAIP) can be strengthened, and we want to ensure that this recitation and memorisation assembly becomes the best,” he said after the pre-launch of the event which was also attended by Pahang Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail here today.

Pahang will host the recitation and memorisation competition scheduled to take place for six days starting May 23 at the Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Broadcasting Complex in Kuantan. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof is expected to officiate the event.

The event this year will involve the participation of 110 participants aged between 14 and 25, with each state represented by eight participants, comprising two for recitation and six for memorisation.

Meanwhile, Wan Rosdy said the state government had allocated RM2.734 million for hosting the event and assured maximum cooperation to ensure its success.

He added that the allocation in
cluded pocket money of RM1,000 for each of the 110 participants, totalling RM110,000.

“We are very pleased that Pahang has been chosen to host, and it is an honour,’ he said, adding that the Malaysian Islamic Economic Development Foundation (YaPEIM) was also pleased to contribute five-gram gold bars (additional prize) to the winners of all recitation and memorisation categories.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency