76 Countries for 55th International Al-Quran Recital Assembly in Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR, July 4 (Bernama) -- A total of 60 male and female reciters representing 76 countries, including three new entries, will participate in the 55th International Quran Recital Assembly 2012 from July 6 to 13, at the Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC). Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) Director-General Othman Mustapha said the three new entries were reciters from Belgium, Ghana and Tanzania, who would recite verses from the Quran during the seven-day assembly themed "Al-Quran: Driver of Transformation of the Moderate Ummah". He said in a statement on Wednesday that Malaysia would be represented by the national qari and qariah, who emerged as the champion in the national Quran Reciters Assembly last month, namely Muhammad Anuar Ghazali, from Kelantan and Che Aminah Che Awang from Kuala Lumpur. Othman said besides reciting the Quran, the tilawah would also include nasyid performances from Raihan, Hijjaz, the 'Adik-adikku' reality programme and quiz for the visitors. He said the Ruler of Kelantan, Sultan Muhammad V was scheduled to open the tilawah while the Malaysian King, Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah and Queen Tuanku Hajah Haminah would grace the closing and prize giving ceremony. -- BERNAMA