Transparent Evaluation At MTQHA 2024 With Improved Assessment Criteria

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 11 (Bernama) -- The evaluation of participants in the 64th International Al-Quran Recitation and Memorisation Assembly (MTQHA) has been carried out transparently, with their recitations being assessed meticulously, says Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM) director-general Datuk Dr Sirajuddin Suhaimee.

Sirajuddin, who also chairs the MTQHA panel of judges, said that although the MTQHA guidelines and assessment concepts remained similar to previous years, certain evaluation elements had been enhanced.

“In terms of evaluation, we use the same guidelines and concepts, but some technical aspects have been improved over time through discussions with the judges, based on their experience.

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“The assessment process includes aspects of tajweed, ‘fasahah’ (fluency), voice quality, and memorisation accuracy, making it a challenging task that requires special expertise,” he said when met at the World Trade Centre (WTC) here, today.

When asked about the judges' evaluation process from the judging room, Sirajuddin said the judges did not know the participants’ identities, including their country of origin or physical appearance.

“The judges only evaluate based on the recitations they hear without knowing who the participants are to ensure transparency in judgment and avoid any bias or sympathy,” he said.

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This year’s MTQHA features 15 judges from various countries, retaining judges from nations like Morocco and Turkiye, while introducing new judges from Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, and other neighbouring countries.

Commenting on the quality of recitations by the qari and qariah at MTQHA so far, he said most participants’ recitations had shown significant improvement year over year.

“The quality of this year’s participants' recitations has been challenging to assess, as many have reached a high level. This poses a challenge for the judges in determining the scores,” he added.

Meanwhile, Malaysia’s qariah Nor Hidayah Abdul Rahman was among the seven participants who presented their recitations on the seventh night of the event tonight.

The others were Abdur Rasheed from Pakistan, Ibrahim Issa Moussa Younos (Central African Republic), Mactar Dieye (Senegal), Ahmet Aybar (Turkiye), Aimanfathi Amamier Adreedir (Libya), and Nurul Huda Binti Khamsani (Singapore).

His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia and Her Majesty the Queen, Raja Zarith Sofiah, are expected to grace the closing ceremony and present the prizes to the winners on Saturday (Oct 12).

-- BERNAMA