KOTA KINABALU: The annual Sabah state Quran recitation and memorisation contest, also known as Majlis Tilawah dan Hafazan Al-Quran (MTHQ), will commence tomorrow, with the event running over three days, Sabah Media reported.
Sabah Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Dr Mohd Arifin Mohd Arif, announced that this year's event, themed 'Perpaduan Teras Malaysia Madani', will be held at Dewan Sri Putatan.
The competition will span several categories, starting with the youth category on April 24 from 8am to 12:30pm featuring nine contestants.
The adult category then follows on the evening of April 24. Additionally, a memorisation contest will take place on April 25, hosting 30 participants across three levels, ranging from the first to the thirtieth Juz of the Quran, complete with tarannum and tafsir.
The closing ceremony and prize distribution, expected to be graced by Sabah Governor Tun Juhar Mahiruddin and his wife Toh Puan Norlidah R.M. Jasni, will happen on April 26.
Arifin emphasised the importance of the event in fostering national-level Quranic reciters and memorisers from Sabah.
He also highlighted accompanying events, including an Interactive Tilawah Program from April 22 to 23, Muzakarah Hakim on April 23, and a Quran Convention on April 26, among other activities designed to enrich the week-long Quranic celebrations.