PRESS STATEMENT
MINISTER IN THE PRIME MINISTER'S DEPARTMENT
(RELIGIOUS AFFAIRS)
ON THE 64TH INTERNATIONAL AL-QURAN RECITAL AND MEMORISATION ASSEMBLY (MTHQA) 1446H/2024M
Bil. 35/2024
1 . It is informed that the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM) will organize the 64th International al-Quran Recital and Memorisation Assembly (MTHQA) 1446H/2024M starting from 5th to 12th October 2024 (Saturday – Saturday) for 8 days held in Kuala Lumpur World Trade Center (WTCKL).
2. The Opening and Launching Ceremony of the 64th MTHQA will be officiated by YAB Dato’ Seri Anwar bin Ibrahim, Prime Minister, on 5th October 2024 (Saturday) at 8:55 PM.
3. His Majesty the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim, and Her Majesty the Raja Permaisuri Agong, Raja Zarith Sofiah have consented to attend and award the prize to the winners of the Tilawah and Memorisation categories on 12th October 2024 (Saturday) at 8:55 PM.
4. Malaysia is renowned for its excellence in organizing both National and International Quran Recital and Memorization Assemblies. In fact, we were once recognized in 2016 for the Best Quranic Program Organization category by the Kuwait International Prize of Holy Quran.
5. This year the MTHQA will involve two (2) categories: the Quran Recital Competition in Tartil style and the 30 Juzuk Quran Memorisation Competition.
THE 64th MTHQA SCREENING TEST
THE 64th MTHQA SCREENING TEST
6. The 64th MTHQA Steering Committee has unanimously agreed that participants who wish to join MTHQA must undergo a qualification screening test. The qualification screening test for the participants has been conducted online on 29th April until 5th May 2024 (Tilawah Category) and on 21st until 26th July 2024 (Hafazan Category), involving 120 participants from 89 countries.
7. The screening test was evaluated by judges with expertise in the Quranic field. A total of 92 participants from 71 countries successfully passed the screening and will participate in the 64th MTHQA.
PARTICIPANTS OF THE 64th MTHQA
8. This year's International Quran Recital and Memorisation Assembly (MTHQA) will involve a total of 93 participants from 71 countries. There are 53 participants in the Tilawah category (39 men and 14 women) from 41 countries, and 39 participants in the Hafazan category (26 men and 13 women) from 36 countries. Malaysia will be represented by 4 participants :
a. Two (2) Tilawah participants: Mohammed Husaini bin Mahmur from Negeri Sembilan
and Nor Hidayah binti Abd Rahman from Terengganu.
and Nor Hidayah binti Abd Rahman from Terengganu.
b. Two (2) Hafazan participants: Muhammad Rifae’i bin Mat Zuki from Negeri Kedah
and Putri Aminah binti Mohd Hanif from Kelantan.
PRIZES FOR THE WINNERS
9. In addition to the cash prizes provided by the government, the Islamic Economic Development Foundation of Malaysia (YaPEIM) has once again generously sponsored gold bars worth RM 48,000.00 (RM 12,000.00 x 4 winners for two categories) for the winners of both the Tilawah and Hafazan categories.
10. Alhamdulillah, this year’s MTHQA brings special rewards for the winners of both the Tilawah and Hafazan categories. Aside from the cash prizes provided by the government, YaPEIM has generously sponsored gold bars worth RM48,000.00 (RM12,000.00 each for 4 winners in two categories).
11. The detailed prizes offered to participants of the 64th MTHQA are as follows:
1. Tilawah Al-Quran Category:
i. Champion:
a. Gold Bar worth RM 12,000.00 each (2 champions) sponsored by YaPEIM
b. Cash prize from the Government of Malaysia
c. Secondary prize
d. Certificate
ii. Runner-up:
a. Cash prize from the Government of Malaysia
b. Secondary prize
c. Certificate
iii. Third place:
a. Cash prize from the Government of Malaysia
b. Accompanying gift
c. Certificate
iv. Consolation prize:
a. Cash prize
• Additionally, each participant will receive a souvenir.
2. Al-Quran Memorisation Category:
i. Champion:
a. Gold Bar worth RM 12,000.00 each (2 champions) sponsored by YaPEIM
b. Cash prize from the Government of Malaysia
c. Secondary prize
d. Certificate
ii. Runner-up:
a. Cash prize from the Government of Malaysia
b. Secondary prize
c. Certificate
iii. Third place:
a. Cash prize from the Government of Malaysia
b. Accompanying gift
c. Certificate
iv. Consolation prize:
a. Cash prize
• Additionally, each participant will receive a souvenir.
12. The organizer expresses the to the Malaysian Islamic Economic Development Foundation (YaPEIM) for the sponsorship for this year.
MTHQA THEME: AL-FALAH: THE CATALYST OF MALAYSIA MADANI
13. The Government has selected "Al-Falah: The Catalyst of Malaysia MADANI" as the theme for the 64th MTHQA." This subject is important for pointing the country in the direction of true achievement in this life as well as the next since it reflects the core teachings of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). In this context, realizing the vision of Malaysia MADANI requires cultivating, embracing, and achieving the ummah's development based on the concept of Al-Falah (success).
14. The Government of Malaysia's annual organization of the MTHQA is a significant way to show how committed the Government is to encourage the culture of reading the Quran, comprehending its meaning, and putting the Almighty's commands and prohibitions into practice in our day-to-day lives. This event is also a manifestation of the efforts to strengthen Islam's position as the Federal Constitution's designated Religion of the Federation. The Prime Minister's vision of Malaysia MADANI, which is in line with the objective of ummah development and the emergence of the Al-Falah generation, can be further reinforced by the MTHQA.
JUDGING OF THE 64th MTQHA
15. The International Quran Recitation and Memorization Assembly for this year will be judged by 20 judges from various countries, including Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, Indonesia, and others. In the Tilawah category, judging will focus on Tajweed, Tarannum, Fasahah, and Voice. While the Hafazan category, two additional aspects will be evaluated based on the memorization and fluency in recitation.
ANCILLARY EVENTS OF THE 64th MTHQA
16. The 64th International Quran Recitation and Memorization Assembly will also feature the special guest recitations of Quran, nasheed performances, tazkirah, qasidah recitations, and special performances by MTHQA participants.
17. Malaysians are invited to attend the 64th MTHQA at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur (WTCKL) from 5th to 12th October 2024. The 64th MTHQA will be broadcast live on RTM1 from 8:45 PM to 11:30 PM, while the Hafazan competition will be aired live on TV AlHijrah from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM.
18. Additionally, audiences can watch the livestream of 64th MTHQA via JAKIM's official social media channels, such as TV JAKIM, Facebook, Tiktok, IKIM Radio, and National FM, as well as broadcasts from several RTM radio stations, including Ai FM (Mandarin), Traxx FM (English), Minnal FM (Tamil), and Asyik FM (Orang Asli Radio).
19. We kindly ask our media partners to promote the 64th MTHQA.
20. May the forthcoming 64th MTHQA be made easier by Allah, and may the event proceed without any issues. Let us collectively pray that Allah bestows His blessings upon all the efforts we have invested thus far.
Thank you.
SENATOR DATO’ SETIA DR. HJ. MOHD NA’IM HJ. MOKHTAR
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department
(Religious Affairs)
23rd September 2024
