Her Majesty attends World #QuranHour 2023 in IIUM

By Farah Husna Zulkefli

GOMBAK, 16 APRIL 2023: Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah attended the World #QuranHour 2023 programme at the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) on 22 Ramadan 1444H, 13 April 2023. The World #QuranHour programme was with the mission Masuk Syurga Sekeluarga dan melahirkan insan al-Abrar (translated as Entering Paradise with the family and producing a virtuous person).

The programme’s prime location was at the Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Mosque (SHAS Mosque) of the IIUM. Muslims were invited to participate in World #QuranHour simultaneously at the SHAS Mosque or from their own locations from 12pm to 1pm on the day. 

World #QuranHour was initiated by Warisan Ummah Ikhlas Foundation (WUIF) in order to get Muslims to appreciate the Quran by reading it, understanding it and applying it. The Chief Executive Officer of WUIF, Marhaini Yusoff, mentioned that Surah Al-Insan was preferred for the #QuranHour programme this year because it carries the theme “Humanising Ummah” through the agenda of humanising oneself, one’s family, one’s society and country in realising the mission of “Entering Paradise with the family”. The Surah was chosen to inculcate the value of humanising the ummah with the 11 characteristics of the Al-Abrar (virtuous person).

“In order to achieve the mission of entering the Family Paradise through the guidance of Surah al-Insan, people need to make adjustments (resetting) in terms of changing their frame of thought by realising that humans are slaves of Allah SWT (76:1-2) and form a system of self-operation by making the Quran a guide to life (76:3, 23). The 11 Al-Abrar characteristics need to be adopted by the individual in order for him or her to become a virtuous person (Al-Abrar). It includes carrying out human responsibilities to Allah SWT and human responsibilities to people,” explained Tuan Fazrul Ismail, Chief Content Officer of WUIF, during the tadabbur session.

These are the 11 characteristics of Al-Abrar (virtuous person):

1. Trustworthy to fulfil vows or promises to Allah SWT and fellow human beings (76:7)
2. Taqwa – Fear of the punishment of Allah SWT (76:7)
3. Infaq – Feeding (76:8)
4. Sincerity – Genuine (76:9)
5. Oriented in the afterlife – Belief in the Hereafter (76:10)
7. Patience – Persistence (76:24)
6. Be firm with the Quran (76:23)
8. Self-control – Refrain from committing sins (76:24)
9. Obey obligatory prayers (76:25)
10. Build a soul – Tahajud prayer (76:26)
11. Gratitude – Spirited (76:26)

“What we can conclude from Surah Al-Insan, is that every individual should apply the 11 characteristics of Al-Abrar from Surah Al- Insan in one’s daily life, educate oneself, one’s family, and the society to always be grateful for God’s blessings and aim for God’s Heaven, which is full of eternal pleasure, by obeying all His commands and living a righteous life,” said Tuan Fazrul Ismail in his closing speech.

Among the Media Synergy partners who joined in the mission to Quranize the nation were Sinar Harian, Bernama, RTM, Astro Oasis, Astro Awani, Radio IKIM, Utusan TV, Utusan Malaysia, Nu ldeaktiv, Zayan FM, New Straits Time, Berita Harian, Harian Metro, TV3, Media Prima, TV9 and Denaihati.com.

This year, Astro Oasis returned as the main broadcaster for World #QuranHour that went live on the day. Other media partners included TV9, TV AlHijrah, RTM and Bernama that also broadcasted simultaneously on their respective platforms.

Through the invitation of IIUM, KDYMM Seri Paduka Baginda Raja Permaisuri Agong, Tunku Hajah Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah binti Almarhum Al-Mutawakkil Alallah Sultan Iskandar Al-Haj has permitted to go a second time to the World program #QuranHour.***