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Ahmadul Kobir, Malaysia: A five-day international Quran recitation and memorisation competition has begun in Malaysia, bringing together 50 participants from 38 countries.
Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim inaugurated the 66th International Quran Recitation and Memorisation Assembly (MTHQA) at the World Trade Centre (WTC) in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday.
In his opening remarks, Anwar urged Muslims to embrace modern technologies while remaining firmly committed to religious values, morality, heritage and national unity.
He said harnessing technological advances, including quantum computing, artificial intelligence (AI) and rapid digital transformation, was among the major challenges facing the world.
At the same time, he stressed that technological progress must be pursued while remaining grounded in faith, ethical values and strong personal character.
Anwar warned that those who failed to embrace AI as a new field of knowledge risked being left behind in the global development race. However, he cautioned against blindly copying or adopting everything from other countries, particularly Western nations.
“We must preserve our values. In our pursuit of change and knowledge in artificial intelligence and other fields, we must remain firmly grounded in our ‘turath’, our legacy and heritage,” he said.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Dr Zulkifli Hasan, Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil and Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar were also present at the opening ceremony.
Peace and unity
Anwar said economic growth and modernisation, including digital transformation, could not be sustained without peace, consensus and mutual respect among people of different races and religions.
Referring to the Quran’s teachings on human relations, he said the holy book encouraged Muslims to recognise and respect differences in order to foster genuine harmony.
“As we pursue change, we must not lose sight of the spirit of bringing goodness and mercy. Dakwah must be driven by compassion, not by a desire to boast about our knowledge and intelligence,” Anwar said.
He said Malaysia’s stability could only be maintained through consensus and peaceful relations between Muslims and non-Muslims.
“No country in the world can pursue economic growth and development without the spirit of unity and peace,” he said.
50 participants
The 66th MTHQA is being held from October 6 to 10 under the theme “Madani Dihayati, Ummah Diberkati”, promoting the values of Malaysia’s Madani framework and the prosperity of the Muslim community.
A total of 50 participants from 38 countries are taking part, with 25 competing in Quran recitation and another 25 in Quran memorisation.
Malaysia is represented in the recitation category by Mohamad Cik Hasnul Taqiyuddin Cik Sazali and Nur Syakura Mohamad Musa.
In the memorisation category, Malaysia is represented by Muhammad Izzul Afnan Sazali and Dina Hadfina Mohd Umarul Hisyam.