World #QuranHour enhances country's Islamic Tourism appeal - Muhammad Bakhtiar

KUALA LUMPUR, May 30 (Bernama) -- The World #QuranHour programme is a good platform to enhance the country's Islamic tourism industry, says Deputy Tourism, Art and Culture Minister Muhammad Bakhtiar Wan Chik.

He said this was in-line with Malaysia being a Muslim-friendly country which also attracted tourists from the Middle East and Central Asian countries such as Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.

"According to the results of the Global Muslim Travel Index 2018, Malaysia retains its position as the most popular Islamic travel destination with a total score of 380.4.

"It is based on the criteria such as easily available Muslim-friendly facilities which include halal restaurants, prayer areas and Muslim-friendly airports and hotels," he said in conjunction with the launch of the World  #QuranHour programme at the National Library here today.

Muhammad Bakhtiar said apart from that, the government was also committed to producing more Islamic-based tourism products by embracing Islamic values ​​in the country's administration, driving the growth of halal and halal-based products and the building of Islamic infrastructure and architectural landmarks.

In the meantime, he said World #QuranHour programme - an initiative by the Ummah Ikhlas Heritage Foundation which entered its fourth edition since 2016 - was to encourage individuals to interact with the Qur'an through reading, understanding and taking action.

"The programme has also received good response with participation from students and the general public. Last year, the programme recorded one million entries for the library sector, and the target for this year is 1.1 million entries," he said.

The World #QuranHour programme organised by PNM in collaboration with the Council of Library Directors Malaysia was held simultaneously throughout the country today with the cooperation of all State Public Libraries.

In SELANGOR, the event was held simultaneously in 104 libraries, with participants reciting the Quran together for an hour.

"The programme, which is being held on the 25th of Ramadan (May 30), is characterised as a campaign to form a foundation of solidarity of the ummah all over the world under the auspices of the Holy Qur'an," said Selangor Public Libraries Corporation director Mastura Muhamad when met after the programme at the Raja Tun Uda Library in Section 13, Shah Alam.

In NEGERI SEMBILAN, about 300 participants, comprising staff of the Negeri Sembilan National Anti-Drug Agency (NADA) as well as individuals under supervision and members of the Taman Panchor Jaya community attended the programme at the Panchor Jaya Mosque in Seremban.

Negeri Sembilan NADA director Nazira Sadiron said this was the second time the agency had organised the event, which also saw Raya donations handed out to 121 orphans and Tahfiz students.

In PERAK, about 2,000 participants attended the programme held at the Ubudiah Mosque in Kuala Kangsar and the Menteri Besar’s residence in Ipoh.

The programme began with the recitation of Surah al-Fatihah, followed by eight people taking turns to read Surah Al-Kahfi from noon until 1 pm.

Perak State Public Libraries Corporation (PPANPk) director Mohammad Nazari Abdul Hamid said the programme was aimed at encouraging Muslims to love and appreciate the Quran during the holy month.

-- BERNAMA