KUALA LUMPUR – The World #QuranHour campaign continues to expand its global reach in its 11th year, with this year’s programme centred on Surah Al-Muzzammil and the theme ‘Shaping the Human Self Before Building the World’.
The annual initiative, organised by Yayasan Warisan Ummah Ikhlas (WUIF), was held at the Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Mosque at International Islamic University Malaysia in Gombak and drew about four thousand participants.
WUIF founder Datuk Hussamuddin Yaacub said the programme ran smoothly and received encouraging support from participants and partners.
“Alhamdulillah, the programme went smoothly. The response was good as expected and the content was very meaningful.
“I would like to thank IIUM especially for facilitating the programme and being a very accommodating host, as well as the media organisations that have supported us over the past 11 years,” he said during a press conference.
He said the campaign had gone through a gradual development process since it began more than a decade ago.
“In the first 10 years, our focus was to strengthen the campaign in Malaysia and ensure Malaysians embraced the idea.
“Now World #QuranHour is not only happening at IIUM but across Malaysia and in several parts of the world,” he said.
Hussamuddin said the university was chosen as the main platform this year to expand the campaign globally.
“For the 11th year, we are using IIUM as a platform to reach the world. Our confidence level has grown and we have received advice from experts at the university.
“That is why the programme is conducted in English so that international audiences can understand the message,” he said.
He said the English-language approach allowed foreign participants and viewers watching the programme digitally from overseas to better grasp the campaign’s objectives.
“In the past we used the term World #QuranHour, but when we broadcast it (in Malay) many international audiences did not fully understand.
“Now that the tadabbur and speeches are delivered in English, the message is clearer and we hope the campaign will grow further in other countries,” he said.
Hussamuddin said the campaign was already being organised in multiple locations around the world.
“We even have programmes taking place in Mecca. Earlier today, they began Quran Hour according to Saudi time and later they will perform tawaf and prayers.
“We also have participation from countries such as Bahrain and about 13 registered locations overseas, although many others organise it independently,” he said.
He added that Malaysian embassies abroad had also supported the campaign since its early years.
“In many places where there are Malaysian embassies, they organise their own Quran Hour events.
“That shows how the campaign has grown and how it continues to spread internationally,” he said.
International Islamic University Malaysia rector Emeritus Datuk Dr Osman Bakar said Surah Al-Muzzammil carries an important message for the holistic development of the Muslim community.
“The chapter emphasises that development of the ummah is not only about material progress but also about physical, intellectual and spiritual growth in an integrated and balanced way,” he said.
He said the university’s strong international alumni network played a key role in expanding the campaign globally.
“IIUM has one of the largest international alumni networks in Malaysia, with about 140,000 graduates from more than 140 countries.
“When the programme is delivered in English, many of these alumni organise similar activities in their respective countries,” he said.
Osman said the initiative had the potential to grow into a global movement similar to other worldwide awareness campaigns.
“We hope this concept can grow like Earth Hour, where people across the world take part at the same time.
“When people participate simultaneously, the sense of unity becomes stronger and the spirit of change spreads faster,” he said.
Meanwhile, WUIF chief executive officer Marhaini Yusoff said this year’s programme continued a thematic narrative that evolves annually through different Quranic chapters.
“Last year we brought the narrative through Surah As-Saff for World #QuranHour.
“This year we highlight Surah Al-Muzzammil and next year we plan to focus on Surah Al-Hajj,” she said.
She said the campaign was part of a broader ecosystem of Quranic learning initiatives, including Rumah Ngaji learning centres across Malaysia.
“We now have more than one thousand Rumah Ngaji centres nationwide.
“The Quran Hour movement aims to encourage a change in mindset by guiding people to reflect on the Quran and apply its values in daily life,” she said.
Marhaini said participants were encouraged to take small but meaningful steps after attending the programme.
“Even if the change is small, we hope people will do something with the knowledge they gain.
“Perhaps someone who has never woken up at night for prayers might start with two rakaat. The important thing is to begin,” she said.
She added that the Quran also emphasises compassion and gradual improvement in personal transformation.
“The message from God is that transformation should not be forced beyond our capacity.
“We should show compassion to ourselves and improve step by step,” she said.