Latest news with #65thInternationalAl-QuranRecitalandMemorisationCompetition
The Sun
03-08-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
Malaysia to modernise pondok schools with AI and tech, says PM Anwar
KUALA LUMPUR: The government will revitalise Malaysia's traditional Islamic boarding schools, known as pondok, by integrating advanced technology and artificial intelligence (AI) to align them with contemporary educational needs. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim emphasised that these institutions must continue safeguarding the faith, morals, and identity of the Muslim community. Speaking at the 65th International Al-Quran Recital and Memorisation Competition (MTHQA) at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur (WTCKL), Anwar highlighted a collaboration between the Finance Ministry and the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM) to upgrade dilapidated religious schools. 'We aim to incorporate IT, digitalisation, and AI to ensure these institutions remain resilient in nurturing the Ummah's values,' he said. Historically, pondok schools resisted colonial influence, preserving Islamic teachings when other systems faltered. Anwar stressed their enduring role in national identity. The event was attended by Religious Affairs Minister Datuk Dr Mohd Na'im Mokhtar, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad, and Chief Secretary Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar. In a related initiative, Anwar will launch the Mushaf Ummah Program on August 8, distributing Qurans translated into 30 languages globally. 'During my visits to Peru, Brazil, France, and Cambodia, I've distributed Qurans in local languages to promote Islamic teachings,' he shared. The 65th MTHQA, themed 'Developing a MADANI Ummah,' runs until August 9, featuring 71 participants from 49 countries. Malaysia's representatives include Aiman Ridhwan Mohamad Ramlan (Perak) and Wan Sofea Aini Wan Mohd Zahidi (Terengganu) in the Recital category, while Muhammad Adib Ahmad Rozaini (Perak) and Putri Auni Khadijah Mohd Hanif (Kelantan) compete in Memorisation. Winners receive RM40,000, with prizes sponsored by YaPEIM. – Bernama
New Straits Times
02-08-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Govt to restore pondok schools with new technology, AI
KUALA LUMPUR: The government will restore and elevate pondok schools to ensure they remain a bulwark for the faith, morals, and character of the Muslim community, in line with modern demands, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. He said that this initiative involves cooperation between the Finance Ministry and the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim) to ensure that religious schools and pondok schools that are in poor condition can be developed with new facilities and technology. "We want to add new technology, including information technology, digitalisation, and artificial intelligence, so that this bulwark remains the strongest one to defend the faith, morals, and character of the Ummah," he said at the opening ceremony of the 65th International Al-Quran Recital and Memorisation Competition (MTHQA) at the Kuala Lumpur World Trade Centre (WTCKL) today. Also present were Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na'im Mokhtar, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad, and Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar. Anwar said history proves that while the country's political, economic, and educational systems bowed to the colonisers, the pondok schools remained the last bastion defending the identity of the Muslim community. Additionally, the prime minister announced that he will launch the Mushaf Ummah Programme on Aug 8 in an effort to expand the dissemination of the Quran and the message of Islam worldwide through official translations into 30 world languages. "In all my travels around the world - to Peru, Brazil, France, Cambodia, and dozens of other countries in recent years - every time I visit, I bring the Quran along with a translation in that country's language, and we distribute it officially. "This, I believe, is a good approach," he said. This year's 65th MTHQA, running from Aug 2 to 9, 2025, features the theme 'Developing a Madani Ummah' and brings together 71 participants from 49 countries. Malaysia is represented by four participants: Aiman Ridhwan Mohamad Ramlan from Perak and Wan Sofea Aini Wan Mohd Zahidi from Terengganu for the Recital category, while Muhammad Adib Ahmad Rozaini from Perak and Putri Auni Khadijah Mohd Hanif from Kelantan are in the Memorisation category. The winners of the two categories will receive RM40,000 in cash, the runners-up will get RM30,000, and third place will receive RM20,000, along with jewelry sponsored by the Malaysian Islamic Economic Development Foundation (YaPEIM). — BERNAMA
The Star
02-08-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Govt to restore 'pondok' institutions with new technology, AI, says Anwar
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim attending the opening of the 65th International Quran Recitation and Memorization (MTHQA) at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur (WTCKL) today. Also present were Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na'im Mokhtar, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad and Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar. – BernamaPic KUALA LUMPUR: The government will restore and elevate the nation's "pondok" institutions in line with modern demands, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. He stated that this initiative involves cooperation between the Finance Ministry and the Islamic Development Malaysia Department. "We want to add new technology, including information technology, digitalisation, and artificial intelligence, so that this bulwark remains the strongest one to defend the faith, morals, and character of the Ummah," he said at the opening ceremony of the 65th International Al-Quran Recital and Memorisation Competition (MTHQA) at the Kuala Lumpur World Trade Centre (WTCKL) on Saturday (Aug 2). Also present were Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na'im Mokhtar, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad, and Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar. Anwar said history proves that while the country's political, economic, and educational systems bowed to the colonisers, the pondok institutions remained the last bastion defending the identity of the Muslim community. Meanwhile, the Prime Minister also announced that he would launch the Mushaf Ummah Programme, an effort to distribute copies of the Quran, which has been officially translated into 30 world languages, globally on Aug 8. "In all my travels around the world - to Peru, Brazil, France, Cambodia, and dozens of other countries in recent years - every time I visit, I bring the Quran along with a translation in that country's language, and we distribute it officially. This, I believe, is a good approach," he said. This year's 65th MTHQA, running from Aug 2 to 9, 2025, features the theme 'Developing a MADANI Ummah' and brings together 71 participants from 49 countries. Malaysia is represented by four participants: Aiman Ridhwan Mohamad Ramlan from Perak and Wan Sofea Aini Wan Mohd Zahidi from Terengganu for the Recital category, while Muhammad Adib Ahmad Rozaini from Perak and Putri Auni Khadijah Mohd Hanif from Kelantan are in the Memorisation category. The winners of the two categories would receive RM40,000 in cash, the runners-up would get RM30,000, and third place would receive RM20,000, along with jewellery sponsored by the Malaysian Islamic Economic Development Foundation (YaPEIM). – Bernama
